Movies with Henri Langlois

Henri Langlois: The Cinephile Who Shaped Film History Though Henri Langlois is best known as a pioneering film archivist and preservationist, he was also a captivating on-screen presence. Langlois possessed a natural charisma and encyclopedic knowledge of cinema that shone through in his many screen roles, from documentaries exploring the art form he championed to cameos in films by the New Wave directors he helped inspire. Langlois first came to prominence through his work establishing the Cinémathèque Française, one of the world's great film archives. But he was no mere librarian - Langlois was a cinephile with a missionary zeal, tirelessly curating the Cinémathèque's screenings to introduce French audiences to the full sweep of cinema history. His passionate, free-wheeling "anti-courses" on film were legendary, capturing his ability to find connections and meaning in the most unexpected works. This spirit of discovery and enthusiasm permeates Langlois' acting roles, whether he's holding court in a documentary like The Extraordinary Voyage or bringing his singular perspective to a Godard film. Langlois may not have been a classic leading man, but his idiosyncratic presence and deep understanding of the medium made him an invaluable collaborator for filmmakers exploring the possibilities of the art form. From his iconic turn in Henri Langlois: The Phantom of the Cinémathèque to more playful cameos, Langlois left an indelible mark on the films he graced, serving as a vital link between the past, present, and future of cinema.