‘A Prophet,’ ‘War Horse’ Actor Niels Arestrup Dies at 75

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As a seasoned gamer who has spent countless hours immersing myself in the world of cinema, I must say that Niels Arestrup was undeniably one of the most captivating and enigmatic actors to grace the silver screen. His performances, particularly under the masterful direction of Jacques Audiard, were nothing short of mesmerizing. The piercing blue gaze, the barely contained violence, and the raw intensity he brought to his roles were truly unforgettable.

The renowned French-Danish actor Niels Arestrup, a creative inspiration to director Jacques Audiard (Emilia Pérez), who graced numerous international films including Steven Spielberg’s “War Horse” and Julian Schnabel’s “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly,” has passed away at the age of 75.

Isabelle Le Nouvel, Arestrup’s wife, announced his passing to Agence France-Presse on Sunday, December 1. She said he lost his battle with illness after exhibiting great courage.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but associate Arestrup indelibly with Jacques Audiard and the unforgettable roles he played in two of his masterpieces: “The Beat that My Heart Skipped” (2005) as the menacing father to Romain Duris’ aspiring pianist, and “A Prophet” (2009), where he portrayed a chilling Corsican mob boss operating from within prison. Arestrup’s stellar performances earned him Best Supporting Actor César awards, France’s equivalent of the Oscar, for both films, cementing his image as an ominous on-screen presence with piercing blue eyes that barely contained the simmering violence within. In 2014, Arestrup claimed his third César in Bertrand Tavernier’s “The French Minister,” a humorous exploration of French diplomacy.

Arestrup is well-known to English audiences for his unexpected portrayal as the gentle French grandfather in Steven Spielberg’s 2011 film, “War Horse.” He has also been seen in Julian Schnabel’s critically acclaimed films, such as “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” (2007) and “At Eternity’s Gate” (2018), both of which were nominated for Oscars.

Rachida Dati, France’s Cultural Minister, expressed awe at the powerful acting and captivating screen presence of this actor, particularly in the films directed by Jacques Audiard, Bertrand Tavernier, Julian Schnabel, or Albert Dupontel. She declared that he will be remembered as one of our greatest actors.

Hailing from France with a Danish father and French mother, Arestrup spent his early years in poverty in the outskirts of Paris. However, an ardent love for theater eventually led him to the stage. At the age of 23, he made his theatrical debut, taking on a role in a production of Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment, directed by Alain Barsacq. Barsacq advised him to adopt a new name, but Arestrup chose to keep his original one.

In 1976, he first appeared on screen in Claude Lelouch’s movie “Second Chance” alongside renowned French actors Anouk Aimée and Catherine Deneuve. Over the subsequent decades, he graced numerous films and television shows. His most recent role was in the French miniseries “Black Butterflies,” released in 2022.

But his career was marred by accusations of violence. French actress Isabelle Adjani claims Arestrup slapped her violently during rehearsals for the play Mademoiselle Julie in 1983. In a 1996 stage performance of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, which Arestrup produced, the actress Myriam Boyer accused him of almost strangling her. Arestrup fired Boyer from the production. She was subsequently awarded 800,000 francs in damages for the dismissal, but Arestrup was never charged with any offense.

In response to inquiries from the French newspaper Le Parisien regarding Niels Arestrup’s demise, Adjani admitted that he considered him a remarkable actor. However, on a personal level, she regrettably had no positive things to share about the individual.

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2024-12-02 15:24