Allan King, whose pioneering work in cinema vérité and direct cinema spanned some 50 years, passed away Monday in Toronto. He was 79.
His most celebrated work included Warrendale (1967), about emotionally disturbed children in a Toronto institution, which earned the Prix d'art et d'essai at Cannes, as well as the BAFTA's Best Foreign Film Award and the New York Critics Circle Award. His 1969 film A Married Couple, which documented ten weeks of what King called "a marriage in crisis," inspired filmmaker Craig Gilbert to make a film about a contemporary American family; that film became the classic nonfiction series from 1973, An American Family.
"In addition to his epic talent, Allan was a great friend and mentor," said Chris McDonald, executive director of Hot Docs, on a statement on the festival website. "He was unfailingly generous with his time, and thoughtful with his advice and support. We will all miss him dearly."
Toronto International Film Festival Director Piers Handling told CBC News, "There are few filmmakers whose impact has been central to the medium, but Allan King is unquestionably one of them,"
For a comprehensive roundup of quotes from the Canadian press, check out David Hudson's.The Daily.
And for a clip from King's first documentary, Skid Row (1957), check out the CBC Digital Archives.
Finally, here's an interview from TV Ontario of King discussing his 2003 documentary Dying at Grace: