Robert Gardner

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 nonfiction film He is an internationally renowned filmmaker and author whose works have entered the permanent canon of nonfiction 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 Museumsponsored expedition to study the Dani in 196162 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 Gardners 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