Robert André

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Robert André

Robert André (born Robert André Harvey: San Diego, California in 1964) is a filmmaker currently living in Paris, France.

After studying literature at the University of San Diego, California, he attended the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium. A scholar in the Husserl-Archives Leuven, he was awarded a degree in philosophy. Mr. André briefly returned to the United States working for the State of California in the field of psychology. In 1991, he returned to Europe and settled in France where his focus has been in the arts.

Mr. André studied acting and directing under Ludwik Flaszen who was co-founder, along with Jerzy Grotowski, of the Laboratory Theatre in Poland. Mr. Andre went on to study film and video with Philippe Ros and Jacques Pigeon.

[edit] The films of Robert André

Tears of the Rhine (1993) was commissioned by Centre Culturel de Sélestat in Alsace, France on a theme of the Rhine River linking borders. Basing the film on concepts from The Philosophy of Love by Stendhal, the relationships of three couples intertwine with each other and the movement of traffic along the Rhine. As trains and boats pass by and cross paths along the river, so do their lives.

Waltzing (1994) was filmed in wartime Bosnia and Herzegovina. In this short film, a soldier and his wife are torn apart as a couple mirroring the actions of the war around them. The external conflict and destruction surrounding them are enacted upon the husband, wife, and child who manifest the violence of their world within their family. A silent film, the music uses the melody of a traditional Bosnian folk song that deconstructs in concert with the actions of the film. The music was composed by Claude Lefebvre who was Director of CERM (Centre Européen Recherche Musicale) in Lorraine, France. Waltzing was produced in collaboration with the Cultural Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Croatia and in participation with the Theatre of Tulza, BIH.

Forbach Opus II (1997) is a lyrical ballad revealing the effect a festival of new music along the French-German border had on the people of this region with the contemporaneous closing of coal mines. In 1997, the economic future of this community was unknown. Coal mining had been the prime industry for centuries. The festival Rendez-vous Musique Nouvelle in Lorraine, France presented another unknown in the music and the intangible nature of the contemporary arts. The film captures the contrasts of the cultural change of this time.

Tied Together (2000) is a short cinematic poem of workers producing coir from coconut husks in the State of Tamil Nadu, India. The rhythm and repetition of motion and sound of the women who work in this industry are visually choreographed into a paean on the metamorphosis of a plant fiber into rope.

Kansari (2000), also a cinematic poem, is an intimate view into the metalsmiths of the Kansari caste in the State of Orissa, India. The heat of the fire and molten metal illuminates the sinew of men whose families have worked the village foundries for ages. The sounds and light of the flares of metallurgy light a window through which bodies move without thought in timeless patterns.

Poster for screenings in India of School Without Walls

School Without Walls (2005) is a documentary feature film (86 minutes) on the effect of Rishi Valley Institute for Educational Resources (RIVER) educational program in the State of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is at one and the same time, both an enchanted voyage and an onerous story. Little Ashwini and her friends from the village take the viewer by the hand and bring them into their homes and their school. This discovery of the villagers’ everyday life reveals their rich tradition, colorful folklore, and music. The men have their own way of looking at life, and the changes taking place in their community as they gather to discuss and drink. In intimate moments, the women confide the plight of their situation, their work, their married life, and their children’s education, wherein hope still reigns. The RIVER program was developed by the Rishi Valley School founded by Jiddu Krishnamurti. The presentation of the village, villagers and school is punctuated with quotes from the writings of J. Krishnamurti tying together his philosophy with how it is affects the lives and stories of those who live in its presence.

Les Secrets d'une école indienne (2006) is a re-edit of School Without Walls (52 minutes) prepared for airing on Francophone television station Planete. This version focuses more closely on the educational program of RIVER than the environment in which it flourishes.

An extract from a review of Les Secrets d'une école indienne:

...From the rythmn of the songs, Robert André captures the smiles and curious looks. In the case of Venu's class, he captures how the colors, gayety, and games predominate. Entreated by Krishnamurti (through a voice-over) ...liberate one's mind..., the teacher adapts the educational program which blends well with the local traditions in a celebration of nature.

Slowly, we penetrate into the heart of this teaching where everything is not in harmony, gentle, or awakens the senses. Robert André has the gift to capture the moment, patience, and respects the silences.

--Caroline Gourdin of French magazine Télérama 08/30/06.

India has been his focus for the past four years. Robert André has worked on several film and video projects in Pondicherry and Bangalore as well as in the State of Orissa. In India, his work has been as a screenplay writer, director and cinematographer. School Without Walls is Robert André’s most recent documentary film project. It was produced by Mosaïque Films in Paris. The filming took place in the State of Andhra Pradesh, India.