French Literature Reviews - 2026
B. Peeters, G. Scarpetta, Raoul Ruiz le Magicien
Art and Visual Culture
Bibliographic reference: Benoît Peeters & Guy Scarpetta, Raoul Ruiz le Magicien, Les Impressions Nouvelles, collection "Réflexions faites", 2015. EAN13: 9782874493041.
16.5 x 23.5 cm, 288 pages, hardcover
Black and white and color illustrations
28 euros
Although Raoul Ruiz (1941–2011) is globally acclaimed, his filmography remains labyrinthine, and information about him is often fragmented and frequently inaccurate. Too often, Ruiz is reduced to his most prominent later films (Three Lives and Only One Death, Genealogies of a Crime, Time Regained, Mysteries of Lisbon), even though remarkable works abound right from his Chilean period. This engaging and rigorous book allows readers to fully appreciate a major milestone in modern cinema.
In his conversations with Benoît Peeters, Ruiz reflects on his journey in a lively and paradoxical manner, revealing himself to be as profound a film theorist as he is original. Following a compelling portrait of the filmmaker, Guy Scarpetta provides an in-depth analysis of nine of his most significant films.
Abundantly illustrated, this book also features interviews with actors and actresses: Anne Alvaro, Feodor Atkine, Arielle Dombasle, John Malkovich, Jacques Pieiller, Melvil Poupaud, Edith Scob, Christian Vadim, Elsa Zylberstein, as well as with his wife, filmmaker Valeria Sarmiento.
A novelist and essayist, Guy Scarpetta has authored numerous works published notably by Grasset and Gallimard. A senior lecturer at the University of Reims, he has regularly contributed to Art Press, Positif, and Le Monde diplomatique. He followed Raoul Ruiz’s career for thirty years, becoming a close friend of the director.
A writer and screenwriter, Benoît Peeters shared a long-standing friendship with Raoul Ruiz, collaborating with him on various occasions (The Blind Owl, The Transpatagonian). He has published biographies of Hergé, Jacques Derrida, and Paul Valéry with Flammarion. Alongside François Schuiten, he created the graphic novel series The Obscure Cities.
Contents
Portrait of a Magician, by Guy Scarpetta
Conversations with Raoul Ruiz, by Benoît Peeters
- Fragments of a Childhood
- The Hundred Plays
- Between Law and Theology
- False Starts
- Three Sad Tigers
- The Allende Years
- Screenplay Matters
- From The Suspended Vocation to Point of Departure
- The Storyboard Fantasy
Selected Films, by Guy Scarpetta
- Three Crowns of the Sailor
- City of Pirates
- Three Lives and Only One Death
- Genealogies of a Crime
- Time Regained
- Love Battles in a Dream
- Klimt
- Mysteries of Lisbon
- That Night
Actors' Voices, by Guy Scarpetta
Anne Alvaro, Feodor Atkine, Arielle Dombasle, John Malkovich, Jacques Pieiller, Melvil Poupaud, Edith Scob, Christian Vadim, Elsa Zylberstein
Interview with Valeria Sarmiento, by Benoît Peeters
Filmography
Raoul Ruiz developed a vast and complex cinematic output that spans decades, moving from his early period in Chile to his globally acclaimed later works. Despite his international recognition, comprehensive resources addressing the full scope of his career remain relatively uncommon, often focusing only on a handful of well-known titles. This publication brings together perspectives to examine the trajectory of a singular director whose approach combined filmmaking with a distinct theoretical vision. Through discussions and commentary, the volume addresses various stages of a career marked by constant reinvention across different cultural and geographic contexts, presenting structured conversations and critical notes.
The book combines elements with critical commentary, exploring nine significant films alongside personal reflections from the director. Contributions from collaborators, actors, and his wife and fellow filmmaker Valeria Sarmiento provide multiple viewpoints on his working methods and creative environment. Readers interested in modern cinema and auteur studies may find this volume a relevant addition to discussions surrounding contemporary film history and theory. The text is accompanied by illustrative material that documents the visual scope of a cinematic universe, featuring interviews and documentation of a prolific career.