PARIS (AP) - Raoul Ruiz, a French-Chilean filmmaker who directed John Malkovich in a role as Austrian artist Gustav Klimt and worked to put cinema on an artistic par with literature, has died. He was 70.
Ruiz died Friday at Saint-Antoine hospital in Paris following complications from a pulmonary infection, said Francois Margolin, a producer of several of the dozens of films by the director.
Ruiz directed Malkovich as the famed Austrian art nouveau painter in "Klimt," from 2006, as well as European film stars including French actresses Laetitia Casta and Catherine Deneuve and late Italian legend Marcello Mastroianni.
Ruiz fled to France from his native Chile in 1973 after military strongman Augusto Pinochet seized power in a coup.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy expressed sadness at his passing and described him as a man of "immense erudition and infinite curiosity" and a "worthy son of the Enlightenment."
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press
I admire the hard work, Raqul Ruiz put into creating artistic cinema with Literature where else could have for freedom of artistic expression but Paris, like so many that came before him. 2cor: 1,2
I Pray this scripture brings comfort to the family.
Dione Taylor
August 21, 2011 | Charlotte, NC
My deepest condolence to the family of Mr. Ruiz,,,,,,,
August 20, 2011
My condolences to the Ruiz family. May the words found at Job14:13-15 bring you comfort.
Beth
August 20, 2011 | GA
I am sorry for the loss that your family must truly feel right now. We all want to see a time when we will be a united family through out the world. God's word the Bible assures us at Matthew 6:9,10 that God's kingdom will bring lasting peace
Denisha
August 20, 2011 | DE
Remembered By
Arletha Almore
August 19, 2011 | Jackson, MS
La Familia Ruiz,
Quiero dar el pesame. La Biblia nos da la promesa que Dios "limpiara toda lagrima de sus ojos, y la muerte no sera mas, ni existira ya mas lamento ni clamor ni dolor." -Rev. 21:3,4
A. N.
August 19, 2011 | [email protected], GA
The man may be gone but his works remain. May his memories and his works help you to cope with his loss.May God give you all the strength you need to cope. (Philippians 4:13) . . .For all things I have the strength by virtue of him who imparts power to me. . .
Camille
August 19, 2011 | OH
I am one of the fortunate public who enjoys watching movies from Raoul Ruiz and John Malkovich. These men put their hearts and souls into what they do. They give us something to look forward to watching. Thank You. Very Sorry for your loss.
mike morrissey
August 19, 2011 | Cambridge, MA
RIP
steven stancia
August 19, 2011 | Ft.lauderdale, FL