Arthur Cohn

Biography

Arthur Cohn, born on February 4, 1927, in Basel, Switzerland, is a distinguished Swiss film producer renowned for his exceptional contributions to cinema. He hails from a prominent Jewish family; his father, Marcus Cohn, was a lawyer and a leader of the Swiss Zionist movement who later moved to Israel and played a pivotal role in drafting many of the country's foundational laws. His mother, Rose Cohn-Galewski, was a German-Jewish poet from Berlin.

Cohn's grandfather, also named Arthur Cohn, served as the first chief rabbi of Basel. After completing high school, Cohn embarked on a career in journalism, working as a reporter for Swiss Radio, where he covered sports events and reported on the Middle East. His experiences in journalism eventually led him to the world of film production, where he found his true passion.

Career:

Arthur Cohn's illustrious career in film production is marked by a series of critically acclaimed and award-winning films. He has produced six films that have won Academy Awards, a record that underscores his remarkable talent and dedication to the craft. His Academy Award-winning films include:

Sky Above and Mud Beneath (1961) – Best Documentary Feature

The Garden of the Finzi-Continis (1970) – Best Foreign Language Film

Black and White in Color (1976) – Best Foreign Language Film

Dangerous Moves (1984) – Best Foreign Language Film

American Dream (1990) – Best Documentary Feature

One Day in September (1999) – Best Documentary Feature

Cohn's filmography also includes notable works such as Central Station (1998), which received an Academy Award nomination and won a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film, and Behind the Sun (2001), which was nominated for a Golden Globe.

Known for his hands-on approach to filmmaking, Cohn is deeply involved in every aspect of production, from script development to the final editing process. He divides his time between Basel and Los Angeles and has collaborated with a dedicated team, including Lillian Birnbaum in Paris and Pierre Rothschild in Zurich. His films have been showcased in numerous retrospectives worldwide, reflecting his enduring impact on the global film industry.

Legacy:

Arthur Cohn's contributions to cinema have been recognized with numerous accolades and honors. In 1992, he became the first foreign producer to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has also been awarded the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Minister of Culture in 1995, the Humanitarian Award by the National Board of Review in 2001, the Guardian of Zion Award in 2004, and the UNESCO Award in 2005. His commitment to storytelling and his ability to bring powerful narratives to the screen have solidified his reputation as one of the most influential producers in the history of cinema.