Robert Gardner
- Known for
- Directing
- Born
- November 5, 1925
- Died
- June 21, 2014
- Birthplace
- Brookline, Massachusetts, USA
Robert Gardner was the Director of the Film Study Center at Harvard University from 1957 to 1997. He is known for his work in the field of non-fiction film. He is an internationally renowned filmmaker and author whose works have entered the permanent canon of non-fiction filmmaking. Some of his most prominent films include Dead Birds (1964), a lyric account of the Dugum Dani, a Stone Age society at one time living an isolated existence in the Highlands of the former Netherlands New Guinea (Gardner was the leader of the Peabody Museum-sponsored expedition to study the Dani in 1961-62); Rivers of Sand (1974), a social commentary on the Hamar people of southwestern Ethiopia; and Forest of Bliss (1985), a cinematic essay on the ancient city of Benares, India, which explores the ceremonies, rituals, and industries associated with death and regeneration. Gardner’s films have received numerous awards, including the Robert J. Flaherty Award for best nonfiction film (twice); the Golden Lion for Best Film at the Florence Film Festival (three times); and First Prizes at the Trento, USA Dallas, Melbourne, Nuoro, EarthWatch, Athens, and San Francisco film festivals. His films have been invited to Festivals throughout the world including Jerusalem, Bergen, London, Munich, Toronto, Montreal, Margaret Mead, Marseilles, Locarno, Chicago and Cinema du Réel.
Filmography
Expedition Content 2022
Additional Photography
Still Journey On 2010
Director
Deus Ex Boltanski 2010
Director
Oh, What a Blow That Phantom Gave Me! 2003
as Self
Looking at Forest of Bliss 2000
as Himself, Director
Pilot Notes: Journals Of A Solitary Aviator 2000
Cinematography
Good to Pull (Bon a Tirer) 2000
Director
Sean Scully: Passenger 1998
Director
Birth of a Nation 1997
as Self
It Could Be Good, It Could Be Bad 1997
Director
Scully in Malaga 1997
Director
Sean Scully: Testigos AKA The Witnesses 1997
Director
Time Indefinite 1993
as Himself
- Dancing with Miklos
Dancing with Miklos 1993
Director
Hauling Sharks 1988
Director
- Ika Hands
Ika Hands 1988
Director, Cinematography, Writer, Editor
Forest of Bliss 1986
Director, Editor, Cinematography, Producer
Loving Krishna 1985
as Narrator
Serpent Mother 1985
as Narrator
Life Keeps on Passing 1985
Director
Supplicating Women 1985
Director
- Sons of Shiva
Sons of Shiva 1985
Director
The Shepherds of Berneray 1981
Executive Producer
- Deep Hearts
Deep Hearts 1980
Editor, Director, Cinematography, Sound Recordist
Q'eros: The Shape of Survival 1979
as Narrator
Healing 1978
Director
Altar of Fire 1976
Director
Rivers of Sand 1974
Director, Editor, Writer, Cinematography
Policeman 1973
Director
Anthem 1973
Director
Farmer 1973
Director
Lobsterman 1973
Director
Mark Tobey Abroad 1973
Director, Cinematography, Producer
Reality's Invisible 1972
as Self
- Land-Divers of Melanesia
Land-Divers of Melanesia 1972
Director
The Nuer 1970
Producer, Additional Photography
Creatures of Pain 1968
Director
Salt 1968
Director
The Great Sail 1966
Director
Tide 1966
Director
The Photographer 1966
Director
People and Particles 1965
Producer
Marathon 1965
Director
Dead Birds 1963
as Narrator, Director, Cinematography, Writer, Editor
Flaherty and Film 1960
as Self - Host
The Old Lady AKA A Human Document 1958
Director
The Hunters 1957
Director
Mark Tobey 1952
Director
Fort Rupert 1951
as Narrator
- Dances of the Kwakiutl
Dances of the Kwakiutl 1951
Producer
Blunden Harbour 1951
Director
Credits from TMDB.