Boris Vian

Biography

Boris Vian (10 March 1920 – 23 June 1959) was a French polymath: writer, poet, musician, singer, translator, critic, actor, inventor and engineer. He is best remembered today for his novels. Those published under the pseudonym Vernon Sullivan were bizarre parodies of criminal fiction, highly controversial at the time of their release. Vian's other fiction, published under his real name, featured a highly individual writing style with numerous made-up words, subtle wordplay and surrealistic plots. L'Écume des jours (Froth on the Daydream) is the best known of these works, and one of the few translated into English. Vian was also an important influence on the French jazz scene. He served as liaison for Hoagy Carmichael, Duke Ellington and Miles Davis in Paris, wrote for several French jazz-reviews (Le Jazz Hot, Paris Jazz) and published numerous articles dealing with jazz both in the United States and in France. His own music and songs enjoyed popularity during his lifetime, particularly the anti-war song "Le Déserteur" (The Deserter). 

Known For

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

as The Cardinal

Dangerous Love Affairs

as Prévan

Le Bel Âge

as Boris

Vadim Mister Cool

as Self (archive footage)

A Girl in a Pocket

as Baths manager

Rage, Sex, and Jazz: I Spit on Your Graves by Vernon Sullivan

as Self - Writer (archive footage)

Boris Vian, un cœur qui battait trop fort

as Self (archive footage)

Boris Vian, la vie jazz

as Himself

La chasse à l'homme

Le cinéma de Boris Vian

as Self (archives)