Mourning for the filmmaker Jean-Marc Vallée: The Canadian, who became internationally known for works such as the Oscar-winning drama “Dallas Buyers Club”, died at the age of only 58.
The director, producer and screenwriter was found dead on the weekend in his hut outside of Quebec City in his home country, US media reported unanimously on Monday night (local time).
Vallées press spokeswoman Bumble Ward announced that the death was "unexpected".
Further details were not initially known.
Colleagues, friends and fans expressed their sadness and admiration for the filmmaker on social networks. "My heart is broken. My friend. I love you, "wrote Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon (45) on Twitter. The world has lost one of the greatest “artists and dreamers”, wrote Oscar winner Laura Dern (54) on Instagram for a photo shared with Vallée. Both actresses had shot the film "The Great Trip - Wild" and the US television series "Big Little Lies" with him.
She was totally shocked, wrote "Big Little Lies" actress Shailene Woodley (30) on Instagram.
Director Paul Feig praised his colleague as an incredibly talented filmmaker.
His death was a "huge loss," he wrote on Twitter.
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau referred to Vallées talent and passion as a filmmaker and storyteller.
Vallée, who grew up in Montreal, celebrated his first major successes with the youth film “CRAZY - Verrücktes Leben” from 2005, in which his little son Émile also played.
The British period film "Victoria, the Young Queen" (2009) with Emily Blunt in the title role followed a few years later.
The final international breakthrough came with the biographical film drama "Dallas Buyers Club". In the 2013 work, Matthew McConaughey plays an AIDS patient who smuggled drugs into the USA in the 1980s - the film is based on real events. Dallas Buyers Club has won numerous awards, including an Oscar for McConaughey for Best Actor and an Oscar for Supporting Actor for Jared Leto.
Next came the wilderness drama “The Big Trip - Wild” (2014), for which Vallée worked with Reese Witherspoon: Here she embodies a woman who sets out on a mammoth hike alone to get her life back under control. The two then also shot the first season of the US TV series "Big Little Lies" (2017), for which Vallée won an Emmy for best director. There were other Emmys for Nicole Kidman as best leading actress and Alexander Skarsgård as best supporting actor.
Vallées long-time producer colleague Nathan Ross also confirmed the death in the US media.
“Jean-Marc stood for creativity, authenticity and for doing things differently”, quoted the industry portals “Variety” and “Hollywood Reporter” from a press release.
Everyone who worked with him could see his talent and vision.
Vallée was divorced and has two children.