Screening Room with Jean Rouch

Part of the Series: Screening Room Series

Jean Rouch appeared on Screening Room in July 1980 and screened Les Maitres Fous as well as several film excerpts including Rhythm of Work and Death of a Priest. Over a period of five decades Jean Rouch made many films about the Songhay and Dogon of West Africa. He also made, with Edgar Morin, the classic documentary, Chronicle of a Summer about the lives of Parisians. Rouch Frequently traveled with his films, showing and talking about them to a wide audience.

Regarded as one of the fathers of "Direct Cinema" and considered one of the most influential documentary makers of the twentieth century, his films are very difficult to find, particularly in North America. Since his tragic death in Africa in 2004, DER has honored his work with a Tribute Site and is in the process of acquiring films by Rouch in addition to the three, Les Maitres Fous, Jaguar and The Lion Hunters which we already distribute as well as four films about Rouch: Jean Rouch and His Camera in the Heart of Africa, Rouch's Gang, Conversations With Jean Rouch, and this video from Screening Room.