Pierre-William Glenn

Biography

Pierre-William Glenn (October 31, 1943 – September 24, 2024) was a French cinematographer and film director, regarded as one of the important figures in French cinema. Born in Paris, France, he studied at the Institut des hautes études cinématographiques (IDHEC), now known as La Fémis, and began working professionally in cinematography in the late 1960s.

Glenn became closely associated with the French New Wave and worked with many prominent directors, including François Truffaut, Jacques Rivette, Bertrand Tavernier, Maurice Pialat, André Téchiné, and Euzhan Palcy. His cinematography covered a wide range of genres, from experimental and political cinema to crime dramas and social films.

Among his best-known cinematography credits were François Truffaut's Day for Night (1973), A Gorgeous Girl Like Me (1972), and Small Change (1976). He also worked on films such as State of Siege (1972), The Clockmaker (1974), The Judge and the Assassin (1975), Passe ton bac d'abord (1978), Loulou (1980), Death Watch (1980), and Euzhan Palcy's A Dry White Season (1989).

Glenn was also an important figure in the development and use of the Steadicam in French filmmaking. His innovative camera work helped create fluid, mobile images and contributed to his distinctive visual style.

In addition to cinematography, Glenn directed several films, including Le Cheval de fer (1975), Les Enragés (1985), Terminus (1987), and 23h58 (1993). He also worked as a producer, writer, and director on various projects.

Glenn was active in French film education and industry organizations. He served as president of the Commission Supérieure Technique de l'Image et du Son (CST) and co-directed the image department at La Fémis.

Pierre-William Glenn died in France in September 2024 at the age of 80. He left behind an extensive body of work spanning more than five decades and is remembered for his innovative cinematography and collaborations with some of France's leading filmmakers.