Robert Gardner
Known for

Directing

Credits

49

Gender

Man

Birthday

5 Nov 1925

Day of death

21 Jun 2014 (88)

Place of birth

Also known as

Robert Gardner

Biography

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.

Known for
Acting roles
YearMovie / TV show / OtherRole
2000Looking at Forest of BlissHimself
1979Q'eros: The Shape of SurvivalNarrator
1972Reality's InvisibleHimself
1972Screening RoomHimself
1963Dead BirdsNarrator
1960Flaherty and FilmSelf - Host
Credits
YearMovie / TV show / OtherRole
2022Expedition ContentAdditional Photography
2013Dead Birds Re-EncounteredDirector
2013Dead Birds Re-EncounteredCinematography
2013Dead Birds Re-EncounteredEditor
2000Pilot Notes: Journals Of A Solitary AviatorCinematography
2000Looking at Forest of BlissDirector
1993Dancing with MiklosDirector
1988Ika HandsDirector
1988Ika HandsCinematography
1988Ika HandsWriter
1988Ika HandsEditor
1986Forest of BlissDirector
1986Forest of BlissEditor
1986Forest of BlissCinematography
1986Forest of BlissProducer
1985Sons of ShivaDirector
1981The Shepherds of BernerayExecutive Producer
1980Deep HeartsEditor
1980Deep HeartsDirector
1980Deep HeartsCinematography
1980Deep HeartsSound Recordist
1976Altar of FireDirector
1974Rivers of SandDirector
1974Rivers of SandEditor
1974Rivers of SandWriter
1974Rivers of SandCinematography
1973Mark Tobey AbroadDirector
1973Mark Tobey AbroadCinematography
1973Mark Tobey AbroadProducer
1972Land-Divers of MelanesiaDirector
1972Screening RoomDirector
1972Screening RoomCreator
1970The NuerProducer
1970The NuerAdditional Photography
1965MarathonDirector
1963Dead BirdsDirector
1963Dead BirdsCinematography
1963Dead BirdsWriter
1963Dead BirdsEditor
1957The HuntersDirector
1952Mark TobeyDirector
1951Blunden HarbourDirector
1951Dances of the KwakiutlProducer