Paul Seban facts for kids

Paul Seban (born October 21, 1929 – died July 1, 2020) was a French film director and journalist. He was born in Algeria.

About Paul Seban

Early Life and Education

Paul Seban grew up in French Algeria. When he was 19, he moved to Paris, France. He studied law at university. After that, he went to a special film school called the Institut des hautes études cinématographiques (IDHEC). He finished his studies there in 1952.

Starting His Film Career

In 1954, Paul Seban started his career in movies. He worked as an assistant director on the film French Cancan. There, he met the famous director Jean Renoir. Paul Seban worked with many other big names in film, like Alexandre Astruc, Marcel Carné, Stanley Donen, and Orson Welles.

During the 1950s, it was sometimes hard to make movies. So, Paul Seban also worked as an assistant director for television shows.

Working with Marguerite Duras

In 1961, Paul Seban met a writer named Marguerite Duras during a TV interview. They worked together on several short TV films. Their most famous project was the 1967 film La Musica. This movie was based on a play that Marguerite Duras had written.

Focus on Television and Journalism

After La Musica, Paul Seban spent most of his time working in television. He also became a journalist. He wrote articles for magazines like Positif and Ligue de l'enseignement.

Political Films and Beliefs

Paul Seban made many documentaries about political topics. He often focused on anti-colonialism, which means being against one country controlling another. He also made films about communism. He worked for a large French workers' union called the French General Confederation of Labor. He was a member of the French Communist Party from 1946 until he passed away.

Paul Seban died in Paris on July 1, 2020. He was 90 years old.

Film Projects

Films Directed by Paul Seban

• 20,000 Leagues Across the Land (1961)
• Jean Cocteau répond à Roger Stéphane (1964)
• La Longue Nuit (1965)
• Marguerite Duras chez les fauves (1966)
• La Musica (1967)
• Ce jour-là (1967)
• Les amants d'Avignon (1975)
• Le mammouth (1975)
• Un jeune homme rebelle (1976)
• Cinéma 16 (1976)
• Le destin personnel (1979)
• Catherine (1981)
• Contes modernes: À propos du travail (1982)
• Cinéma 16 : Délit de fuite (1982)
• Pour Élisa (1983)
• Une péniche nommée Réalité (1985)
• Les mystérieux tueurs fous (1986)
• Traces de mai (1998)

Films Where Paul Seban Was Assistant Director

• French Cancan (1955)
• Young Sinners (1958)
• One Life (1958)
• Demain en Nanguila (1960)
• Wise Guys (1961)
• The Trial (1962)
• Charade (1963)