William Klein

William Klein

Known for

Directing

Born

April 19, 1926

Birthplace

New York City, USA

Died

September 10, 2022 (aged 96)

Biography

William Klein (April 19, 1926 – September 10, 2022) was a photographer and filmmaker noted to for his ironic approach to both media and his extensive use of unusual photographic techniques in the context of photojournalism and fashion photography.

Trained as a painter, Klein studied under Fernand Léger and found early success with exhibitions of his work. However, he soon moved on to photography and achieved widespread fame as a fashion photographer for Vogue and for his photo essays on various cities. Despite having no training as a photographer, Klein won the Prix Nadar in 1957 for New York, a book of photographs taken during a brief return to his hometown in 1954. Klein's work was consid...

Best known work

La Jetée
La Jetée
1962
Who Are You, Polly Maggoo?
Who Are You, Polly Maggoo?
1966
Mr. Freedom
Mr. Freedom
1969
Broadway by Light
Broadway by Light
1958
Far from Vietnam
Far from Vietnam
1967
The Model Couple
The Model Couple
1977
Muhammad Ali, the Greatest
Muhammad Ali, the Greatest
1974
The French
The French
1982
May Days
May Days
1978
Eldridge Cleaver, Black Panther
Eldridge Cleaver, Black Panther
1970

Filmography

  1. 2026

    L’indispensable

    as Photo

  2. 2025

  3. 2013

  4. 2000

  5. 1999

    Messiah

    Director of Photography, Director

  6. 1998

  7. 1997

    Contacts: Sophie Calle

    Original Concept

  8. 1993

  9. 1992

    Babilée '91

    Director

  10. 1989

    ContactsTV

    Creator

  11. 1985

    Victoires de la musiqueTV

    as Self (1 episode)

  12. 1985

  13. 1982

    The French

    Director, Director of Photography

  14. 1980

  15. 1978

    May Days

    Director, Writer, Director of Photography

  16. 1977

    The Model Couple

    Director, Writer, Director of Photography

  17. 1977

  18. 1974

    Muhammad Ali, the Greatest

    Director, Director of Photography

  19. 1970

    Eldridge Cleaver, Black Panther

    Writer, Director, Editor, Cinematography

  20. 1969

    Mr. Freedom

    Director, Writer

  21. 1969

    The Pan-African Festival in Algiers

    Director, Director of Photography

  22. 1967

  23. 1966

    Who Are You, Polly Maggoo?

    Screenplay, Director, Dialogue

  24. 1964

  25. 1962

    Le Business et la Mode

    Director, Director of Photography

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