“It's unhealthy”: this habit of Bertrand Blier with Anouk Grinberg that disgusted him

After learning of Bertrand Blier's death, our colleagues at Paris Match recalled an interview with him in 1996 in which he discussed his relationship with his partner at the time, Anouk Grinberg, whom he used to film.

IN BRIEF

• Bertrand Blier, famous French film director, died on January 21, 2025 at 85 years old, leaving behind iconic films such as “Les Valseuses” and “Tenue de soirée”.
• Known for his provocative style, Bertrand Blier loved raw scenes and dark humor, and he often addressed controversial themes in his works.
• Discover how Bertrand Blier left his mark on cinema with his unique and uncompromising approach, which continues to influence directors today.

A giant of French cinema passed away on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. Bertrand Blier died at the age of 85. The director leaves behind masterpieces such as Les Valseuses, Buffet froid or even Tenue de soirée. Throughout his career, he has never hidden his love of raw scenes and black humor. It was moreover his trademarks.

In 1996, in the columns of Paris Match, Bertrand Blier had notably been questioned about his way of filming love scenes in his films. “We fuck a lot in the cinema. But everything keeps a frozen Playboy side“, he had declared at first before adding: “I don't like being told love stories where we pretend. I like the crudeness of the look. When you make a film, you have to get to the bottom of your subject“.

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Bertrand Blier: “The acting profession must not be comfortable”

At that time, he had for habit of filming his partner at the time,énbsp;Anouk Grinberg, in the middle of sexual intercourse. “You're going to accuse me of voyeurism ? I'm used to it. It's a false problem. I've always loved undressing women in the movies. But I admit that filming love scenes with your wife is unhealthy“, he had nevertheless admitted.

Despite everything, he assumed responsibility for his directorial choices. “We are not here to do tourism. The acting profession must not be comfortable. A great actor must have neither taboos nor limits“, he had continued, assuring that he liked to disturb.

According to Bertrand Blier, French cinema had become “intellectual chic”

“I refuse to fall into the pitfalls of French cinema, which has become intellectual chic cinema.” According to him, only one example should be followed: the film The Last Tango in Paris, by Bernardo Bertolucci. “Everything else is conventional“, he had then let go.

“My films are often based on a paradox. If this girl was unhappy çit would have no interest. (…) Everything that happens on the sidewalk is tragic. I know that. But I have also met call girls who did that with joy. I hate movies in slippers“, he continued, returning to the criticisms of his film The Happy Whore. The latter had caused a lot of ink to flow.