Remembering Margaret

PRESS RELEASE FROM FILMS DU LOSANGE

Margaret Menegoz, who died on 7 August 2024, ran Les Films du Losange for forty-six years, from 1975 to 2021: an exceptional longevity in the French film industry and far beyond. A self-taught filmmaker, she got into the business by making films, meeting her husband, Robert Menegoz, and travelling the world with him to make documentaries, before joining Les Films du Losange in 1975 as a ‘jack of all trades’ for Eric Rohmer and Barbet Schroeder. Only a year after joining the company, she became its managing director. Under her leadership, Les Films du Losange grew into a major European independent studio, winning an Oscar, three Palmes d’Or at Cannes and top awards at festivals around the world.

Her attachment to the making of a film never left her. She used to say that she was “involved in everything”, following every stage of the process hand-in-hand with the director, from the script to theatrical release, including development, preparation, casting, the work plan, listening to the actors, post-production and the English and German subtitles, which she reread one by one.

Her love of films and work, and her loyalty to the filmmakers have become the hallmarks of Les Films du Losange. Didn’t she say that you should never leave an auteur in the lurch? On the contrary, you should try to rebuild. “It takes years to build up trust with a director, but you can lose it in a day. Everything is earned through hard work”, she used to say.

The door to her office was always open: to her collaborators, whom she kept loyal and pampered, to the artists and to her colleagues, with whom she shared her experience of co-productions. She was also open-minded towards Europe and the international scene, which she particularly cherished. She always gave of her time to an entire profession, committing herself to Unifrance, the César Awards, the European Film Academy…

There was a phrase she often used: “A film is not made to be put on a shelf. It’s meant to be seen, always and everywhere. She succeeded in making Les Films du Losange an independent company not only in production, but also in distribution and international sales, with a catalogue that is still very much alive.

We miss his beautiful deep voice and unique accent terribly.

The entire team at Les Films du Losange, who learned so much from him, offer their sincerest condolences to his family and friends.

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