Marguerite Duras facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marguerite Duras
|
|
|---|---|
Duras in 1993
|
|
| Born | Marguerite Donnadieu 4 April 1914 Gia Định, Cochinchina, French Indochina (present-day Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam) |
| Died | 3 March 1996 (aged 81) Paris, France |
| Occupation | |
| Nationality | French |
| Education | Lycée Chasseloup Laubat, Saigon |
| Alma mater | University of Paris |
| Period | 1943–1995 |
| Spouses |
|
Marguerite Germaine Marie Donnadieu (born 4 April 1914 – died 3 March 1996), known as Marguerite Duras, was a famous French writer and filmmaker. She wrote many novels, plays, and screenplays. She also directed several experimental films. Her script for the movie Hiroshima mon amour (1959) was so good that it was nominated for an Oscar.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Marguerite Duras was born Marguerite Donnadieu on 4 April 1914. She was born in a place called Gia Định, which was part of French Indochina (now Vietnam). Her parents, Marie and Henri, were teachers from France. Marguerite had two older brothers, Pierre and Paul.
When Marguerite was young, her father became ill and returned to France. He passed away in 1921. Her family then moved back to French Indochina. They lived in different cities like Phnom Penh, Vĩnh Long, and Sa Đéc. Her mother faced financial difficulties and made a bad investment in some land. This experience later inspired Marguerite's novel, The Sea Wall.
In 1931, when she was 17, Marguerite and her family moved to France. She was very good at Vietnamese and passed her first high school exams. She then returned to Saigon in 1932 to finish her studies.
In 1933, Marguerite moved to Paris. She studied public law and mathematics at the University of Paris. After finishing her studies in 1937, she started working for the French government. In 1939, she married a writer named Robert Antelme.
During World War II, Marguerite was an active member of the French Resistance. This was a secret group that fought against the occupation of France. She worked for the government but also helped the Resistance. Her husband, Robert, was imprisoned for his part in the Resistance. He became very ill but thankfully recovered. After he got better, they divorced.
In 1943, when she published her first novel, she started using the name Duras. This name came from her father's hometown, Duras, Lot-et-Garonne.
Her Amazing Career
Marguerite Duras wrote many books, plays, and films. One of her most famous books is L'Amant (The Lover), published in 1984. This book was a huge success and won the Prix Goncourt, a very important French literary award.
Her novel The Sea Wall was made into a movie twice. First in 1958, and again in 2008. Another important book, Moderato Cantabile (1958), also became a film called Seven Days... Seven Nights.
Marguerite Duras also wrote and directed the play and film India Song. She was the screenwriter for the 1959 French film Hiroshima mon amour. This movie was directed by Alain Resnais.
At first, her novels were written in a traditional way. But later, she started to experiment more with her writing. She would make her texts simpler, focusing on what was left unsaid. She was known for her excellent use of dialogue.
Towards the end of her life, Marguerite Duras wrote a short book as a farewell to her readers and family. She passed away in Paris on 3 March 1996, at the age of 81.
Awards and Recognition
Marguerite Duras received many awards for her writing and films. Here are some of them:
- Prix de Mai 1958 for Moderato cantabile.
- Prix de la Tribune de Paris 1962 for L'Après-midi de Monsieur Andesmas.
- Selection at the Venice Film Festival 1972 for the film Nathalie Granger.
- Prix de l'Association française des cinémas d'art et d'essai 1975 for India Song.
- Prix Jean-Cocteau 1976 for the film Des journées entières dans les arbres.
- Grand prix du théâtre de l'Académie française 1983.
- Prix Goncourt 1984 for L'Amant.
- Prix Ritz-Paris-Hemingway for L'Amant.
Films She Directed and Acted In
As a Director
Marguerite Duras directed many films, including:
- La Musica (1967)
- Détruire, dit-elle (1969)
- Jaune le soleil (1972)
- Nathalie Granger (1972)
- La Femme du Gange (1974)
- India Song (1975)
- Son nom de Venise dans Calcutta désert (1976)
- Des journées entières dans les arbres (1976)
- Le Camion (1977)
- Baxter, Vera Baxter (1977)
- Les Mains négatives (1978)
- Césarée (1978)
- Le Navire Night (1979)
- Aurelia Steiner (Melbourne) (1979)
- Aurélia Steiner (Vancouver) (1979)
- Agatha et les lectures illimitées (1981)
- L'Homme atlantique (1981)
- Il dialogo di Roma (1982)
- Les Enfants (1985)
As an Actor
She also appeared in some films, often providing her voice:
- India Song (1975) – (voice)
- The Lorry (1977) – Herself
- Baxter, Vera Baxter (1977) – Narrator (voice, uncredited)
- Le Navire Night (1979) – (voice)
- Aurélia Steiner (Vancouver) (1979) – Narrator (voice)
- Agatha et les Lectures illimitées (1981) – (voice)
- Les Enfants (1985) – Narration (voice, uncredited) (her last film role)
See also
In Spanish: Marguerite Duras para niños
