Screening Room: Jean Rouch

Over a period of five decades Jean Rouch made many films about the Songhay and Dogon of West Africa. He also made, with Edgar Morin, the classic documentary, Chronicle of a Summer about the lives of Parisians.

Rouch frequently traveled with his films, showing and talking about them to a wide audience. Regarded as one of the fathers of "Cinéma Vérité" and considered one of the most influential documentary makers of the twentieth century, his films are very difficult to find, particularly in North America.

Jean Rouch appeared on Screening Room in July 1980 and screened Les Maitres Fous as well as several film excerpts including Rhythm of Work and Death of a Priest.

Since his tragic death in Africa in 2004, DER has honored Rouch with a Tribute Site and carries several films about him and his work.