Vincent Lapize (1926 - 2017) was a French film director and writer. Born in Paris, France, Lapize studied film at the Institut des Hautes Études Cinématographiques (IDHEC) in the late 1940s. He began his career in the film industry by working as an assistant director on such projects as Jean-Pierre Melville's Bob le Flambeur (1956) and Jacques Rivette's Le Coup du Berger (1957).
In the 1960s, Lapize established himself as a major director in the French New Wave movement. His first feature film, La Cage aux Folles (1960), was an immediate success. The film was praised for its naturalistic portrayal of a same-sex relationship and its exploration of the complex moral dilemmas faced by its protagonists. Lapize's follow-up film, La Chambre des Magiciens (1966), was a surrealist drama about a struggling magician who discovers a hidden room in his apartment. The film earned Lapize a nomination for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
In the 1970s, Lapize continued to direct acclaimed films, such as La Femme et le Pantin (1973), a psychological drama about a woman who falls in love with a puppet. He also directed the science fiction film L'Invasion des Crabes (1977), which was praised for its psychedelic visuals and its exploration of themes of alienation and control.
In the 1980s, Lapize's career began to slow down, as he only directed two films during the decade. His final feature film, La Femme de l'Eau (1985), was a romantic drama about a young couple struggling to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. The film earned Lapize a nomination for the César Award for Best Director.
Lapize was a master storyteller who was never afraid to take risks with his films. His films were often praised for their thoughtful exploration of complex moral and philosophical themes, as well as their innovative visuals. Lapize's legacy as one of the major figures of the French New Wave movement continues to live on.
