He left his mark on cinema to the point that his name appears on many film covers.
Born in Le Mans in 1939, René Chateau died at the beginning of last week in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez at the age of 84, according to Var-Matin.
Nicknamed the “memory of French cinema”, he held many jobs, but particularly distinguished himself as a video editor.
“He opened the doors of dreams and memories for us with his collection of exceptional films: The Memory of French Cinema.
We will sorely miss him,” wrote Éditions René Chateau in a press release sent to AFP, specifying that he died of natural causes.
The secretive and controversial businessman launched the video collection “The Memory of French Cinema”.
He buys film catalogs to restore them and sell them on cassette.
He launched his publishing company with The Texas Chainsaw Massacre by Tobe Hooper.
“René Chateau Vidéo” is signed with a black panther, the symbol of the company.
Although he published a number of VHS and DVDs, Le Manceau is also known for his relationship with Jean-Paul Belmondo.
Bruce Lee's springboard in France
He met “Bébel” on the set of “Pierrot le fou” in 1965. René Chateau was first his press officer before becoming his producer and partnering with him to distribute his films through the company Cerito Films.
A few films like “The Magnificent”, “Cop or Rogue” or “The Guignolo” and 17 years later, they suddenly separated.
A time companion of Brigitte Lahaie, he also contributed to popularizing Bruce Lee in France.
After watching “Big Boss” in Senegal, he broadcast the Chinese-American actor's films when he was a programmer for three theaters at the Hollywood Boulevard cinema in Paris.
According to Var-Matin, his funeral will be held at the Vidauban crematorium, in the Var and in the strictest privacy.