Constant Girel
French Lumière operator and cinematographer who played a pivotal role in bringing cinema to Japan in the late nineteenth century.
What do we know about Constant Girel?
Here are the key biographical details about Constant Girel:
- Name: Constant Girel
- Also Known As: François-Constant Girel
- Date of Birth: January 1, 1873
- Place of Birth: Seyssel (Ain)
- Date of Death: January 1, 1952
- Gender: Male
- Job Title: Cinematographer
- Crew Jobs: Director, Cinematography, Camera Operator
Who is Constant Girel?
Constant Girel was the son of a pharmacist and studied the subject at Lyon, at which time his brother-in-law was employed at the Lumière factory. He was taken on as a Lumière operator some time in 1896, filming for them in Germany in September of that year, when he made contact with Ludwig Stollwerck and filmed Tsar Nikolas II's inspection of the German army at Breslau. It was the Stollwerk connection that no doubt led him to Switzerland, where he worked for another Lumière representative, Henri Lavanchy-Clarke, before filming the Tsar again towards the end of the year at Cherbourg and Chalons.
On 6 December he left for Japan, arriving at Kobe on 9 January 1897, where he met up with the Lumière representative for Japan, Inabata Katsutaro. The pair then inaugurated the cinema in Japan with a program at Osaka's Nanchi Theatre on 15 February 1897. Girel's competence as a cameraman has been questioned, but he filmed a wide number of Japanese scenes, many of which ended up in the Lumière catalog. He returned to France after a year, being replaced by Gabriel Veyre, approached Pathé Frères but failed to find further work in film, and returned to pharmacy.
What is Constant Girel known for?
Constant Girel's notable works as a Lumière cinematographer include:
- Cherbourg: Entrée des souverains russes et du président de la République sous le hall (1896, Movie)
- Coolies in Saigon (1897, Movie)
- Roi et Reine d'Italie (1896, Movie)
- Repas en famille (1897, Movie)
- Japanese Actors: Wig Exercise (1897, Movie)
- Japanese Sword Fencing (1897, Movie)
- Une rue à Tokyo (1897, Movie)
- Danse Tyrolienne (1896, Movie)
- Lutteurs japonais (1898, Movie)
- Acteurs japonais : bataille au sabre (1897, Movie)
External Links
Explore further information about Constant Girel through these authoritative sources.