Niels Arestrup in 10 major roles

Over the course of his rich career spanning 5 decades, the actor has won 3 Césars. A look back at 10 unforgettable performances.

His charisma was undeniable. Loving the camera with his bad boy pout and his blond then silver locks. Niels Arestrup died this weekend at the age of 75, following a long illness, not without having left an indelible mark on French cinema. Because his brutal character, sometimes described as aggressive, has often hit the headlines. But also because his animal performances, with their scathing humanity, have burst the screen for half a century. The great theater actor cut his teeth in cinema in the early 1970s, confined to small supporting roles with Alain Resnais (Stavisky in 1974) or Claude Lelouch (If I had to do it againin 1976). It was late that Niels Arestrup has established himself as an essential film and television actor. A look back at his career in 10 performances.

The future is womanby Marco Ferreri (1984)

In this strange psychological romance, mocked at the Venice Film Festival during its initial screening, Niels Arestrup lives a threesome with Ornella Muti And Hanna Schygullaof whom he is the lover. Then a young seducer, he played his first significant role in what would over time become one of the major works of Italian cinema of the 1980s.

The Temptation of Venus (1991), by István Szabó

Once again romantic, he plays – in English in the text – a Hungarian conductor called to the Paris Opera to conduct Wagner, and then comes across the beautiful Glenn Closethen superstar of Fatal affair and Dangerous connections.

My heart stopped beatingby Jacques Audiard (2005)

As he passes fifty, Niels Arestrup landed his most memorable roles. Particularly as an abusive and vicious father of Romain Durishis first collaboration with Jacques Audiard earned him his first César for Best Supporting Actor.

A prophetby Jacques Audiard (2009)

Second collaboration with Audiard and new César for Best Supporting Actor for the actor who has just turned 60. In the shoes of the terrifying César, an all-powerful Corsican mafioso in a penitentiary establishment, he leads a hard life Tahar Rahim.

The man who wanted to live his lifeby Éric Lartigau (2010)

Niels Arestrup find Romain Duris in this adaptation of the book by Douglas Kennedywhere he plays an old French drunk who takes refuge in Montenegro. A new César nomination in the works.

war horseby Steven Spielberg (2011)

First Hollywood blockbuster for the French actor, who offers himself a prestigious role in front of the Oscar-winning filmmaker's camera. He will also tour, a few years later, for Angelina Jolie in his film Sea view (2015).

Quai d'Orsayby Bertrand Tavernier (2013)

The pass of three for Niels Arestrup. The actor won his third César for Best Supporting Actor. He plays the phlegmatic chief of staff of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, while international diplomacy is close to a major conflict.

Diplomacyby Volker Schlöndorff (2014)

Nominated for the Molière three years earlier for this role which he played on stage for many months, Niels Arestrup takes on the film role of General Dietrich von Choltitz, military governor of Paris, who is preparing to destroy the capital, at the request of Adolf Hitler. His face to face with André Dussolier is impressive.

Black Baronby Eric Benzekri (2016)

The career of Niels Arestrup has also often appeared on the small screen. His last role was notably in Black Butterfliesfor Arte (in 2022). But before that, he plays the candidate of the left during the presidential election, sacrificing his foal (Kad Merad) to take possession of the Elysée.

Goodbye up thereby Albert Dupontel (2017)

For one of his very last roles on the big screen, he plays the odious president of the mayors of Paris, an unworthy father of a broken mouth. A bastard role that he was able to further magnify to the point of landing a new nomination for the César.