He always seemed to be in a bad mood – his father's legacy – and was a man of few words and laughs. Bertrand Blier didn't care much about appearing friendly. If people liked or disliked him, were shocked or offended by him, it didn't matter. He was afraid of nothing, especially not of a bad reputation. The proof was in his films, in which he never ceased to defy established order and morality with the insolent self-confidence of a rascal.

Born on March 14, 1939, in the western Paris suburb of Boulogne-Billancourt, the son of Bernard Blier – whom he directed in several of his films – Bertrand was raised in the world of cinema, among actors and never asked himself whether he had chosen his vocation. Starting as an assistant director at 20, he devoted his life to taking over from his father. Yet he did so in his own way: as a disobedient and provocative brat. The years passed, but nothing changed. Bertrand Blier died Monday evening, January 20, at the age of 85, a source in his entourage told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Tuesday.

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