Sidney Lumet (June 25, 1924 – April 9, 2011) was an American director, producer and screenwriter with over 50 films to his name. He was nominated for the Academy Award as Best Director for 12 Angry Men (1957), Dog Day Afternoon (1975), Network (1976) and The Verdict (1982). He did not win an individual Academy Award, although he did receive an Academy Honorary Award and 14 of his films were nominated for various Oscars, such as Network, which was nominated for 10, winning 4.

The Encyclopedia of Hollywood states that Lumet was one of the most prolific directors of the modern era, making more than one movie per year on average since his directorial debut in 1957. He was noted by Turner Classic Movies for his "strong direction of actors", "vigorous storytelling" and the "social realism" in his best work. Film critic Roger Ebert described him as having been "one of the finest craftsmen and warmest humanitarians among all film directors." Lumet was also known as an "actor's director," having worked with the best of them during his career, probably more than "any other director."

Lumet began his career as an Off-Broadway director, then became a highly efficient TV director. His first movie was typical of his best work: a well-acted, tightly written, deeply considered "problem picture," 12 Angry Men (1957). From that point on Lumet divided his energies among other idealistic problem pictures along with literate adaptations of plays and novels, big stylish pictures, New York-based black comedies, and realistic crime dramas, including Serpico and Prince of the City. As a result of directing 12 Angry Men, he was also responsible for leading the first wave of directors who made a successful transition from TV to movies. In 2005, Lumet received an Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement for his "brilliant services to screenwriters, performers, and the art of the motion picture." Two years later, he concluded his career with the acclaimed drama Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007).

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Sidney Lumet est un réalisateur américain né le 25 juin 1924 à Philadelphie et mort le 9 avril 2011 à New York. Plus de cinquante films ont été réalisés sous sa direction dont Douze Hommes en colère, acclamé par la critique en 1957 et Network: Main basse sur la télévision en 1976.

Récompensé par un Oscar d'honneur en 2005 pour services rendus aux scénaristes, aux acteurs et à l'art du cinéma, Sidney Lumet était considéré comme le «maître du polar juridique», la plupart de ses films traitant directement ou indirectement du système judiciaire.

Sidney Lumet naît le 25 juin 1924 à Philadelphie de Baruch Lumet, acteur de théâtre yiddish et d'Eugenia Wermus, danseuse. Très vite, ses parents déménagent pour New York. Il monte pour la première fois sur scène au Irving Place Theatre de New York à l'âge de quatre ans et joue dans les théâtres yiddish et à Broadway jusque dans les années 1950. Jeune témoin des conséquences chaotiques de la crise de 1929, sa vocation de réalisateur voulant témoigner des injustices de l'époque commence à s'affirmer. Il participe au Camp Rising Sun (New York). Dans les années 1930, il enchaîne les apparitions à Broadway.

En 1938, il est âgé de 14 ans et joue sur scène sous la direction de Joseph Losey. L'année suivante, il fait ses premières apparitions au cinéma dans Dans une pauvre petite rue de Dudley Murphy.

À la fin de l'année 1941, les États-Unis entrent en guerre et Lumet s'engage volontairement alors qu'il n'a que 17 ans. Il participe aux combats en Chine, Inde et Birmanie.

Lumet s'est marié à quatre reprises; ses épouses ont successivement été: Rita Gam (1949-1954), Gloria Vanderbilt (1955-1963), Gail Jones (1963-1978) et Mary Gimbel.

Sidney Lumet meurt le 9 avril 2011 des suites d'un lymphome. Il est inhumé au Mount Carmel Cemetery du Queens à New York.

En 1995, Sidney Lumet a publié un livre, Making Movies, réimprimé en 1996. Il y raconte ses souvenirs de metteur en scène et en profite pour partager de nombreux enseignements. Au moment de sa mort, un journaliste a rappelé que, lorsque ce livre est paru, les directeurs des écoles de cinéma n'avaient plus rien à enseigner car, si leurs élèves lisaient le livre, ils sauraient tout.

Source: Article "Sidney Lumet" de Wikipédia en français, soumis à la licence CC-BY-SA 3.0.

Sidney Lumet (Filadélfia, 25 de junho de 1924 — Nova York, 9 de abril de 2011) foi um cineasta estadunidense que dirigiu mais de 50 filmes, entre eles "Doze Homens e uma Sentença", "Doze Homens em Fúria" (1957), "Um Dia de Cão" (1975), "Rede de Intrigas" (1976), "O Príncipe da Cidade" (1981) e "O Veredito" (1982), obras que lhe renderam indicações ao Oscar. De acordo com a Encyclopedia of Hollywood, Lumet foi um dos mais prolíficos diretores da era moderna do cinema, tendo feito mais de um filme por ano desde sua estreia, em 1957. Foi conhecido especialmente por sua capacidade de atrair os principais atores para seus projetos.