Margaret Menegoz, the producer of world-famous auteurs such as Michael Haneke and Wim Wenders, has died at the age of 83.
Menegoz was celebrated for her leadership of Les Films du Losange, an acclaimed production and distribution company which she ran for 46 years with an iron fist, guided by her passion for independent filmmaking and new voices.
Born in Hungary in 1941, during WW2, Menegoz grew up in Germany and ventured into the film industry after meeting her husband, Robert Menegoz, and traveled the world with him to shoot documentaries. She joined Les Films du Losange in 1975 and started as an assistant for revered directors Eric Rohmer and Barbet Schroeder who had co-founded the company in 1962. She quickly rose through the ranks and became manager of the company.
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Under her helm, Les Films du Losange won an Oscar, three Palmes d’Or at Cannes. The company built a library of about 100 prestige films, including Haneke’s “Amour,” which won Cannes’ Palme d’or, as well as an Oscar and Golden Globe for best foreign-language film; “The White Ribbon,” another film by Haneke produced by Les Films du Losange which won the Palme d’Or and a Golden Globe; Rohmer’s “Le rayon vert,” winner of the Venice Golden Lion; Agnieszka Holland’s Oscar-nominated, Golden Globe-winning “Europa Europa.”
She was known for her hands-on leadership as she worked hand in hand with filmmakers, from the script to the theatrical release. Menegoz was interested in all aspects of moviemaking, including the business side of things. In the 1980’s, she bowed a theatrical distribution division, and a few years later she started an international sales division.
“There was a phrase she often said, ‘A film is not made to be on a shelf. It is made to be seen, always and everywhere,'” said the team at Les Films du Losange in a statement sent to Variety. “She was able to make Les Films du Losange an independent company not only for production, but also for distribution and international sales, with a catalog that is still alive. We miss her beautiful deep voice and her unique accent terribly.”
The banner distributed in France many award-winning movies, notably Mia Hansen-Love’s “L’avenir,” produced by Charles Gillibert, which won the Silver Bear for best director; as well as Von Trier’s cult pics such as the Palme d’Or-winning “Dancer in the Dark” and Cannes jury prizewinning “Breaking The Waves.”
During her career, the tireless Menegoz also led the film promotion org Unifrance from 2003 to 2009 and spearheaded efforts to ramp up the international sales of French films.
Her death has been mourned by many prominent figures across Europe, including Daniela Elstner, the current managing director of Unifrance who started her career in film at Les Films du Losange. Elstner released a statement paying tribute to Menegoz’s fierce commitment.
“Margaret didn’t work internationally, she embodied it. Her productions will talk about her, her way of thinking and loving the world,” said Elstner. “She was an example for many young women. I was one of them; Margaret taught me everything in this world of cinema which knows no borders and invites us to think outside of limits… Thank you Margaret, we will miss you terribly.”
While she stepped down from Les Films du Losange and sold the company to producer Gillibert and financier Alexis Dantec, Menegoz left an indelible mark on the company’s auteur-driven DNA.
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