Acting
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.
Filmography
Browse movies and TV shows featuring Jacques Brel
Sacrée soirée
Le Grand Échiquier
Le Grand Échiquier is a French variety television program created and presented by Jacques Chancel. It aired at...
Le monde est à vous
Midi trente
Discorama
Samedi soir
Legends
The story of the big names that have shaped the musical genres, plus an occasional stopgap for the new rock 'n'...
Unsere kleine Show - Musik zur blauen Stunde
Mont-Dragon
Because he has seduced Germaine de Boismenil, Georges Dormont is thrown out of the army by the colonel and husb...
Money Money Money
When they realize the times are changing, five crooks decide to switch from bank robberies to personality abduc...
A Pain in the Ass
Ralf Milan, a hitman, arrives in Montpellier to kill an important witness. He checks in a hotel without knowing...
My Uncle Benjamin
Benjamin is in love with Manette, the innkeeper's beautiful daughter, but she has no intention of giving in to...
Risky Business
A teenage girl accuses her primary schoolteacher, Jean Doucet (Jacques Brel), of trying to rape her. The police...
Far West
This Belgian/French tale chronicles the efforts of Jacques (Jacques Brel) to find the Old West in modern Americ...
Law Breakers
A judge investigating police corruption finds that the deeper he digs, the more roadblocks he finds.
Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris
Three attendees at a puppet theater don various roles in order to sing a variety of songs by Jacques Brel, all...
Scott Walker: 30 Century Man
A documentary on the influential musician Scott Walker.
Jacques Brel - Comme quand on était beau
A 3 volume DVD set issued by Barclay Records to mark the 25th anniversary of Jacques Brel's death. This amazing...
Bonnot's Gang
The story of a notorious French criminal gang of the 1910s.
The Bar at the Crossing
In 1916, Vincent van Horst leaves Europe to return to his Canadian homeland. There, he seeks his former love, M...
Lino Ventura, la part intime
The fall of 2017 marked the 30th anniversary of Lino Ventura's death. Whether in the role of tough cops or toug...
Jacques Brel - Les Adieux à l'Olympia
This last recital will remain forever marked in the history of the famous hall. It is one of the only testimoni...
Jacques Brel, fou de vivre
Presents archival material as well as interviews with those who were close to Jacques Brel, who died way too yo...
Franz
In a French seaside town, at a boarding house for civil servants recovering from surgery and maladies, the six...
Petit Jour
France, Song
Song chronicle of France in the 60s. The film introduces the work of famous French chansonnier singers.
Pitié pour une ombre
Brel à Knokke
La Folle Histoire de François Pignon - De La chèvre au Dîner de cons
Brel
In this documentary, director Frédéric Rossif has mixed footage of the popular, late singer Jacques Brel in con...
Jacques Brel à Knokke-le-Zoute, 1963
Jacques Brel, une vie à mille temps
Brel, un cri
A TV documentary about the singing career of Jacques Brel, beginning with his childhood in Belgium.
Ultra, je t'aime