Jacques Brel
Jacques Romain Georges Brel (8 April 1929 – 9 October 1978) was a Belgian singer, songwriter, actor and director who composed and performed literate, thoughtful, and theatrical songs that generated a large, devoted following—initially in Belgium and France, later throughout the world. He is considered a master of the modern chanson. Although he recorded most of his songs in French and occasionally in Dutch, he became an influence on English-speaking songwriters and performers, such as Scott Walker, David Bowie, Alex Harvey, Marc Almond, Neil Hannon, and Rod McKuen. English translations of his songs were recorded by many performers, including Bowie, Walker, Ray Charles, Judy Collins, John Denver, The Kingston Trio, Nina Simone, Shirley Bassey, James Dean Bradfield, Frank Sinatra, and Andy Williams. Brel was a successful actor, appearing in 10 films. He directed two films, one of which, Le Far West, was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1973. Having sold over 25 million records worldwide, Brel is the third best-selling Belgian recording artist of all time. Brel married Thérèse "Miche" Michielsen in 1950, and the couple had three children. He also had a romantic relationship with actress and dancer Maddly Bamy from 1972 until his death in 1978. Jacques Romain Georges Brel was born on 8 April 1929 in Schaerbeek, Brussels, to Élisabeth "Lisette" (née Lambertine) and Romain Brel. He came from a family of Flemish descent (who had adopted the French language); part of his family originated in Zandvoorde, near Ypres. His father worked for Cominex, an import–export firm, and later became co-director of a company that manufactured cardboard. Jacques and his older brother Pierre grew up in an austere household, and attended a Catholic primary school, École Saint-Viateur, run by the order of Saint Viator. Remembered as a courteous and manageable pupil, Brel did well in reading and writing, but struggled through arithmetic and Dutch. The boys were also members of the local Boy Scout troop, and enjoyed their time at summer camp and on family outings to the North Sea coast. In Brussels, the family lived at 138 Avenue du Diamant in Schaerbeek, then moved to 26 Boulevard Belgica in Sint-Jans-Molenbeek, and finally settled at 7 Rue Jacques-Manne in Anderlecht. Brel was close to his mother, fascinated by her generosity and sense of humour, which he inherited. ... Source: Article "Jacques Brel" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.
Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris
as SelfThree attendees at a puppet theater don various roles in order to sing a variety of songs by...
Movie pageA Pain in the Ass
as François PignonRalf Milan, a hitman, arrives in Montpellier to kill an important witness. He checks in a hotel...
Movie pageMoney Money Money
as JacquesWhen they realize the times are changing, five crooks decide to switch from bank robberies to...
Movie pageScott Walker: 30 Century Man
as Self (archive footage)A documentary on the influential musician Scott Walker.
Movie pageRisky Business
as Jean DoucetA teenage girl accuses her primary schoolteacher, Jean Doucet (Jacques Brel), of trying to rape...
Movie pageMy Uncle Benjamin
as Benjamin RatheryBenjamin is in love with Manette, the innkeeper's beautiful daughter, but she has no intention...
Movie pageFar West
as JacquesThis Belgian/French tale chronicles the efforts of Jacques (Jacques Brel) to find the Old West...
Movie pageLaw Breakers
as Bernard LevelA judge investigating police corruption finds that the deeper he digs, the more roadblocks he finds.
Movie pageBonnot's Gang
as Raymond la ScienceThe story of a notorious French criminal gang of the 1910s.
Movie pageFranz
as LéonIn a French seaside town, at a boarding house for civil servants recovering from surgery and...
Movie pageJacques Brel - Les Adieux à l'Olympia
as SelfThis last recital will remain forever marked in the history of the famous hall. It is one of the...
Movie pageD'un film à l'autre
as Self (archive footage)On April 13, 2011, Les Films 13 production company turned 50. How can one celebrate an...
Movie pageJacques Brel, fou de vivre
as Self (archive footage)Presents archival material as well as interviews with those who were close to Jacques Brel, who...
Movie pageLa Folle Histoire de François Pignon - De La chèvre au Dîner de cons
as SelfThe Bar at the Crossing
as Vincent Van HorstIn 1916, Vincent van Horst leaves Europe to return to his Canadian homeland. There, he seeks his...
Movie pageMont-Dragon
as Georges Dormond - un aspirant dégradéBecause he has seduced Germaine de Boismenil, Georges Dormont is thrown out of the army by the...
Movie pageJacques Brel - Comme quand on était beau
as SelfA 3 volume DVD set issued by Barclay Records to mark the 25th anniversary of Jacques Brel's...
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