Ivan Passer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ivan Passer
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Ivan Passer at 43rd KVIFF
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| Born | July 10, 1933 |
| Died | January 9, 2020 (aged 86) |
| Occupation | Film director, screenwriter |
Ivan Passer (born July 10, 1933 – died January 9, 2020) was a Czech film director and screenwriter. He was well-known for his part in the Czechoslovak New Wave film movement. He also directed many American movies. Some of his famous films include Born to Win (1971), Cutter's Way (1981), and Stalin (1992).
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Life and Career
Ivan Passer was born in Prague, which was then part of Czechoslovakia. His parents were Marianna and Alois Passer.
Early Life and Education
As a young student, Ivan went to King George boarding school in Poděbrady. There, he met other future filmmakers like Miloš Forman and Jerzy Skolimowski. He also met the famous playwright Václav Havel. Later, he studied at the FAMU in Prague. However, he did not finish his studies there.
Passer started his career in movies as an assistant director. He worked on a film called Velká samota.
Working with Miloš Forman
Ivan Passer often worked with his good friend, Miloš Forman. They collaborated on all of Forman's Czech films. These included Loves of a Blonde (1965) and The Firemen's Ball (1967). Passer helped write both of these movies. They were even nominated for Academy Awards. Passer also introduced Forman to a talented cameraman named Miroslav Ondříček.
In 1965, Passer directed his first full-length movie, Intimate Lighting. Many people consider this film to be his best work.
Moving to America
In 1969, a big political event happened in Czechoslovakia. The Warsaw Pact invaded the country. Because of this, Passer and Forman decided to leave Czechoslovakia together. They both moved to the United States. Miloš Forman became a very successful director, winning Academy Awards.
Ivan Passer also made several important American films. One was Born to Win (1971), a realistic drama. It starred George Segal and Karen Black. Another well-known film was Cutter's Way (1981). This was a dramatic thriller starring Jeff Bridges and John Heard.
Later Career and Other Works
While Passer was known for his unique and realistic dramas, he also directed comedies. These included Silver Bears (1978) with Michael Caine. He also directed Creator (1985) starring Peter O'Toole.
Later in his career, Passer directed many films for television. A very notable one was the award-winning movie Stalin (1992). This film, about the Soviet leader, starred Robert Duvall and was made for HBO. Ivan Passer also taught film as a professor at the University of Southern California.
Ivan Passer passed away on January 9, 2020. He was 86 years old and died in Reno, Nevada, due to lung problems.
Filmography
Here is a list of films Ivan Passer directed or helped write:
- Audition (1963) (co-writer only)
- Intimate Lighting (1965) (also co-writer)
- Loves of a Blonde (1965) (co-writer only)
- The Firemen's Ball (1967) (co-writer only)
- Born to Win (1971) (also co-writer)
- Law and Disorder (1974) (also co-writer)
- Crime and Passion (1976) (also co-writer)
- Silver Bears (1977)
- Cutter's Way (1981)
- Faerie Tale Theatre (1983) (director of one episode, "The Nightingale")
- Creator (1985)
- Haunted Summer (1988)
- Fourth Story (1990)
- Stalin (1992)
- While Justice Sleeps (1994)
- Kidnapped (1995)
- The Wishing Tree (1999)
- Picnic (2000)
- Nomad: The Warrior (2006)
See also
- In Spanish: Ivan Passer para niños
