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Tonie Marshall
Tonie Marshall 2012.jpg
Marshall in 2012
Born (1951-11-29)29 November 1951
Died 12 March 2020(2020-03-12) (aged 68)
Occupation
Years active 1971–2020
Parent(s)
Relatives
  • Mike Marshall (half-brother)
  • Sarah Marshall (niece)

Tonie Marshall (29 November 1951 – 12 March 2020) was a French-American actress, screenwriter, and film director. In 2000, she became the first female director to win a César award for her film Venus Beauty Institute.

Life and career

Marshall was the daughter of American actor, director, and bandleader William Marshall and French actress Micheline Presle. She was also the aunt of model and actress Sarah Marshall, and the half-sister of actor Mike Marshall, son of the actress Michèle Morgan.

Before becoming a director, Tonie Marshall was an actress, first in drama and then in television and film, where she played several little parts in the 1970s and 1980s. As she recalls on his beginning on-screen: "I was an actress because it was what seemed the more natural for me, but I was interested a lot in writing and production. I was quite afraid not to make it [directing films]. Because I was a little actress, that I did not attend a specialized school, that I did not have any technique". During her childhood, she also developed her experience of films thanks to the arthouse cinema of the Ursulines in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, near which she grew up.

After performing minor parts in several of Jacques Demy's films, including A Slightly Pregnant Man (1973) and La Naissance du Jour (1980), Marshall directed her first film, Pentimento (1990), offering the radio and television host Antoine de Caunes his first role in cinema.

In 1994, her film Pas très Catholique was selected as part of the 44th Berlin International Film Festival.

Tonie Marshall's 1999 film Venus Beauty Institute (Vénus beauté (Institut)) won four César Awards during the 2000 competition including Best Director, making her the first female filmmaker to receive this distinction. The César Academy also awarded Venus Beauty Institute with Best Film, Best Writing - Original or Adaptation, as well as Most Promising Actress for Audrey Tautou, whose career was launched by the film.

This romantic comedy centers on the search for love and happiness of three employees of a Parisian beauty salon "Vénus Beauté Institut": Angèle (Nathalie Baye), Marie (Audrey Tautou), Samantha (Mathilde Seigner), and their manager Nadine (Bulle Ogier). Tonie Marshall's mother Micheline Presle also appears in the film where she plays the part of Aunt Maryse. In a 2001 interview for the film magazine Cinéaste, Tonie Marshall recalls the genesis of the film and how she was inspired by an existing beauty salon:

"My first idea was to write a part for Nathalie Baye because I wanted to do something with her that she had not done before: a woman with a very nice appearance, very banal, but who is, in fact, very mixed up and complicated. But I hadn't decided what she would do for a living in the film. Then one day I was passing by a small beauty salon on my street - the light was pink and there was a girl, a beautician I suppose, dressed in pink; and she was closing the shop very, very slowly. Her movement, absolutely like she was dancing, but very slowly, struck me as being an entirely cinematic image. I went back to this beauty parlor as a customer, and when I was there I heard so many incredible things."

Tonie Marshall has been mostly influenced by Jacques Demy's films throughout her career, the most famous ones being The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964) and The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967). Venus Beauty emerged from this influence, as well as an additional source of inspiration: the French film Belle de Jour (1964) directed by Luis Bunuel and starring Catherine Deneuve.

In 2002 her film Au plus près du Paradis was nominated for the Golden Lion Award as best film at the Venice Film Festival.

Marshall was a signatory of the "Free Roman Polanski" petition following film director Roman Polanski's arrest in Switzerland in 2009, which read: "We demand the immediate release of Roman Polanski. Film-makers in France, in Europe, in the United States and around the world are dismayed by this decision… It seems inadmissible to them that an international cultural event, paying homage to one of the greatest contemporary film-makers, is used by police to apprehend him.”

In 2017, Marshall released Number One (also released as Woman Up! in the UK and the US), her last feature film, which is based on her conversation with various female corporate executives. The film relates the story of Emmanuelle Blachey (Emmanuelle Devos), an engineer who tries to reach the manager position in a company with the help of her female counterparts and despite the misogynistic atmosphere that rules over the firm.

On March 12th, 2020, she died from lung cancer at the age of 68.

Activism

Although Tonie Marshall would not label herself as a feminist, many of her films involve an underlying fight against sexism, especially the later ones including Number One in which she overtly advocates gender equality in the professional sphere.

Cannes 2018 11
Protest for gender equality in the film industry during the 2018 Cannes Festival

Off-set, she was one of the members of the French 50/50 Collective, founded in 2018 and which promotes gender diversity and equality in the film industry. The same year, she also joined the Fondation des femmes, founded in March 2016, which aims to raise funds for feminist organizations. During the 2018 César Awards Ceremony and in association with the foundation, Tonie Marshall participated in the #MaintenantOnAgit movement as part of which she called diverse personalities to wear a white ribbon as a symbol of the struggle against violence against women.

In an interview given to the French newspaper La Tribune in 2017 for the release of Number One, Marshall addressed her young female spectators, saying: "For the world to evolve, and to reach true modernity, 45-50% of women should get to decision-making professional positions in order to finally experience a different organization in work and business. If I could help with it, I would be very glad. And if people who watched my film get out of the theater telling themselves "this made me want the same", it is an absolute joy."

Work

Filmography (Films and TV)

Year Title Role Notes
1970 Les Saintes chéries Actress TV Series (1 episode)

Created by Nicole de Buron and directed by Jean Becker

1971 Les Dossiers du professeur Morgan Actress TV Series (1 episode)
Un enfant dans la ville Actress TV Film
Directed by Pierre Sisser
Côté cour, côté champs Actress Short
Directed by Guy Gilles
1972 What a Flash! Actress Directed by Jean-Michel Barjol
1973 L'Oiseau rare Actress Directed by Jean-Claude Brialy
A Slightly Pregnant Man Actress Directed by Jacques Demy
1975 Une Suédoise à Paris Actress TV Series (1 Episode)
Directed by Patrick Saglio
Vous ne l'emporterez pas au Paradis Actress Directed by François Dupont-Midy
La fleur des pois Actress TV Film
Directed by Raymond Rouleau
1976 Les Cinq Dernières Minutes Actress TV Series (1 Episode)
Directed by Claude Loursais
Mords pas, on t'aime Actress Directed by Yves Allégret
Le Cheval évanoui Actress TV Film
Directed by Alain Dhénaut
Les Infidèles Actress TV Film
Directed by Alain Dhénaut
1977 Au théâtre ce soir Actress TV Series (1 Episode)
Directed by Pierre Sabbagh
1978 Le Mutant Actress TV Mini-Series
Directed by Bernard Toublanc-Michel
Les Deux élèves préférés du professeur Francine Brouda Actress Short
Directed by Danièle Dubroux
1979 Les Amours de la belle époque Actress TV Series (1 Episode)

Directed by René Lucot

Rien ne va plus Actress Directed by Jean-Michel Ribes
1980 Cinéma 16 Actress TV Series (1 Episode)
Directed by Eric Le Hung
Tout dépend des filles Actress Directed by Pierre Fabre
Les Sous-doués Actress Directed by Claude Zidi
La Naissance du jour Actress TV Film
Directed by Jacques Demy
1981 Les Amours des années folles Actress TV Series (1 Episode)
Directed by Marion Sarraut
Le Petit théâtre d'Antenne 2 Actress TV Series (1 Episode)
Directed by Michel Treguer
Les Dossiers éclatés Actress TV Series (1 Episode)
Directed by Alain Boudet
La Gueule du loup Actress Directed by Michel Léviant
Les Roses de Dublin Actress TV Mini-Series
Directed by Lazare Iglesis
1982 Merci Bernard Actress TV Series (10 Episodes)
Directed by Jean-Michel Ribes
1983 Archipel des amours Actress Directed by Jacques Davila
Elle voulait faire du cinéma Actress TV Film
Directed by Caroline Huppert
1984 Paris vu par... vingt ans après Actress Sketches Film (1 sketch)

Directed by Frédéric Mitterrand

Batailles Actress TV Movie
Directed by Jean-Michel Ribes
1985 Classique Actress Short
Directed by Christian Vincent
1986 Qui trop embrasse... Actress Directed by Jacques Davila
Beau temps mais orageux en fin de journée Actress Directed by Gérard Frot-Coutaz
Le Tiroir secret Actress TV Mini-Series
Directed by Nadine Trintignant, Roger Gillioz, Michel Boisrond & Édouard Molinaro
1987 Coeurs croisés Actress Directed by Stéphanie de Mareuil
1989 Pentimento Director / Writer
Palace Actress TV Series (1 Episode)
Directed by Jean-Michel Ribes
1990 Le Champignon des Carpathes Actress Directed by Jean-Claude Biette
La Campagne de Cicéron Actress Directed by Jacques Davila
1992 Chasse gardée Actress Directed by Jean-Claude Biette
1993 Point d'orgue Actress TV Movie
Directed by Paul Vecchiali
1994 Not Very Catholic /Something Fishy Director / Writer Bergamo Film Meeting – Golden Rosa Camuna
Nominated – Berlin International Film Festival – Golden Bear
3000 scénarios contre un virus Director TV Series (1 Episode)
1996 Pour rire! Actress Directed by Lucas Belvaux
Citron amer Actress Short
Directed by Christiane Lack
Enfants de salaud Director / Writer
1999 Venus Beauty Institute Director / Writer César Award for Best Director
César Award for Best Film
César Award for Best Writing
Cabourg Film Festival – Golden Swann
2000 Tontaine et Tonton Director TV Film
2002 Au plus près du Paradis Director / Writer Nominated – Venice Film Festival – Golden Lion
2003 France Boutique Director / Writer
2004 Les Falbalas de Jean-Paul Gaultier Director / Writer / Cinematographer Documentary
2005 Vénus & Apollon Director / Writer / Producer TV Series
2008 Musée haut, musée bas Actress Directed by Jean-Michel Ribes
Passe-passe Director / Writer / Producer
2009 X Femmes Director / Writer TV Series (1 Episode)
Accomplices Producer Directed by Frédéric Mermoud
2010 HH, Hitler à Hollywood Actress Directed by Frédéric Sojcher
2012 Nuts Producer Directed by Yann Coridian
2014 The Missionaries Director / Writer / Producer
2016 Moka Producer
2017 Number One / Woman Up! Director

Drama

Year Title Role Notes
1973 Duos sur canapé Actress Written by Marc Camoletti

Tournée Karsenty-Herbert

1975 Un jeu d'enfants Actress Written by Martin Walser

Directed by Maurice Attias Théâtre Moderne

1976 Pour 100 briques t'as plus rien... Actress Written by Didier Kaminka

Directed by Henri Garcin Théâtre La Bruyère

1979 Le Père Noel est une ordure Actress Written by members Le Splendid troupe

Directed by Philippe Galland Le Splendid

1979 Essayez donc nos pédalos Actress Written by Alain Marcel
1983 Batailles Actress Written by Roland Topor, Jean-Michel Ribes

Directed by Jean-Michel Ribes Théâtre de l'Athénée

1987 Crimes du coeur (Crimes of the Heart) Actress Written by Beth Henley

Directed by François Bourgeat La Pépinière-Théâtre

2008 Batailles Actress Written by Roland Topor, Jean-Michel Ribes

Directed by Jean-Michel Ribes Théâtre du Rond-Point

2011 L'Amour, la mort, les fringues Actress Written by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron

Directed by Danièle Thompson Théâtre Marigny

Recognition

Marshall achieved a prominent role in the French film industry, dominated mainly by men. In her most notable film, Venus Beauty Institute, Marshall touched on the theme of finding love from a female perspective, and how it can fundamentally be more difficult because of how it strays from the traditional dynamic of courtship. She explained how "in a practical sense, it’s complicated to have abandon [oneself] into a man’s arms and, at the same time, stay very tough because you have to work…". This expresses the vulnerabilities women endure when heavily committing to relationships, similar to much of Demy's work, including The Umbrellas of Cherbourg and The Young Girls of Rochefort.

Tonie Marshall Alain Delon Césars
Tonie Marshall, Alain Delon and Georges Cravenne at the 2000 Césars ceremony

Honors

For her 1999 film Venus Beauty Institute :

  • 2000 Cesar for Best Film
  • 2000 Cesar for Best Director
  • 2000 Cesar for Best Writing - Original or Adaptation
  • 2000 Cesar for Most Promising Actress - Audrey Tautou

Nominations

For her 1999 film Venus Beauty Institute :

  • 2000 Cesar for Best Actress - Nathalie Baye
  • 2000 Cesar for Best Supporting Actress - Bulle Ogier
  • 2000 Cesar for Best Supporting Actress - Mathilde Seigner

Additional sources

Books

Hottel, Ruth A. & Pallister, Janis L. (2011). Noteworthy Francophone Women Directors: A Sequel, Fairleigh Dickinson University Press.

Hughes, Alex & Williams James S. (2001). Gender and French Cinema, Berg.

Oscherwitz, Dayna & Higgins, Mary Ellen (2007). Historical Dictionary of French Cinema, The Scarecrow Press.

Rège, Philippe (2009). Encyclopedia of French Film Directors, The Scarecrow Press.

Rollet, Brigitte & Tarr, Carrie (2001). Cinema and the second sex: women's filmmaking in France in the 1980s and 1990s, Continuum.

Articles

Champalaune, Mathieu (updated 16 March 2021). "300 personnalités du cinéma lancent le collectif "5050 pour 2020" pour l'égalité dans le cinéma", Les Inrockuptibles.

(https://www.lesinrocks.com/cinema/300-personnalites-du-cinema-lancent-le-collectif-5050-pour-2020-pour-legalite-dans-le-cinema-136666-28-02-2018/)

Nougué, Emilie (visited 24 September 2022). "Les femmes de la semaine du 24 février au 2 mars 2018", Orange Tendances.

(https://tendances.orange.fr/societe/femmes-de-la-semaine/diaporama-les-femmes-de-la-semaine-du-24-fevrier-au-2-mars-2018-CNT000000ZcJv5/tonie-marshall-lutte-contre-les-violences-faites-aux-femmes-076ed44d070fe088b17e4440d2786cfc.html#plmAnchor)

West Joan M. (2001) "Venus Beauty Institute by Gilles Sandoz, Tonie Marshall, Mario Vernoux, Jacques Audiard", Cinéaste, Vol 26, No. 2, pp. 44-46.

(https://www.jstor.org/stable/41689344)

[Author unknown] (27 February 2018). "César 2018. Un ruban blanc pour lutter contre les violences faites aux femmes", Ouest France.

(https://www.ouest-france.fr/cinema/les-cesar/cesar-2018-un-ruban-blanc-pour-lutter-contre-les-violences-faites-aux-femmes-5591415)

[Author unknown] (22 August 2022). "Micheline Presle, l'audacieuse", CNC.

(https://www.cnc.fr/cinema/actualites/micheline-presle-laudacieuse_1752617)

Documentaries and Interviews

"1972: Tonie Marshall, une jeune actrice | Archive INA", Institut National de l'Audiovisuel.

(Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_v3IvmdW-A)

"Qui était Tonie Marshall? | Archive INA", Institut National de l'Audiovisuel.

(Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr_2mfUZfKA)

"Tonie Marshall, réalisatrice de Numéro Une: "il faut des réseaux mixtes, pas uniquement féminins", Cadremploi.

(Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp7QJDls2uw)

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Tonie Marshall para niños

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