From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Robert Bernard Altman (/ˈɔːltmən/ AWLT-mən; February 20,
1925 – November 20, 2006) was an American film director, screenwriter, and
producer. He was a five-time nominee of the Academy Award for Best Director and
is considered an enduring figure from the New Hollywood era.
Altman's style of filmmaking covered many genres, but
usually with a "subversive" twist which typically relied on satire
and humor to express his personal views. Altman developed a reputation for
being "anti-Hollywood" and non-conformist in both his themes and
directing style. Actors especially enjoyed working under his direction because
he encouraged them to improvise, thereby inspiring their own creativity.
He preferred large ensemble casts for his films, and
developed a multitrack recording technique which produced overlapping dialogue
from multiple actors. This produced a more natural, more dynamic, and more
complex experience for the viewer. He also used highly mobile camera work and
zoom lenses to enhance the activity taking place on the screen. Critic Pauline
Kael, writing about his directing style, said that Altman could "make film
fireworks out of next to nothing."[1] Altman's most famous directorial
achievements include M*A*S*H (1970), McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971), The Long
Goodbye (1973), California Split (1974), Nashville (1975), 3 Women (1977), Come
Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean (1982), The Player (1992),
Short Cuts (1993), and Gosford Park (2001).
In 2006, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
recognized Altman's body of work with an Academy Honorary Award. He never won a
competitive Oscar despite seven nominations. His films M*A*S*H, McCabe &
Mrs. Miller, The Long Goodbye and Nashville have been selected for the United
States National Film Registry. Altman is one of three filmmakers whose films
have won the Golden Bear at Berlin, the Golden Lion at Venice, and the Palme
d'Or at Cannes (the other two being Henri-Georges Clouzot and Michelangelo
Antonioni).