Alexandre Desplat [Le Grand Compositeur]

By: Julian Chavez | December 21, 2009 | Ten by Ten

French composer Alexandre Desplat had already composed soundtracks for more than 50 European films when he made his entrée into Hollywood in 2003 with his score for The Girl with the Pearl Earring. Since then, he has created memorable scores for such films as Julie & Julia, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (which got him an Oscar nomination) and The Painted Veil, which garnered him a Golden Globe. Up next, he is producing music for two film icons, Terence Malick and Roman Polanski for their films, The Tree of Life and The Ghost, respectively.

What is the most important lesson you’ve ever learned?
Humility.

Who is your favorite contemporary artist and why?
Spanish-Majorcan artist Miquel Barcelo. I love his inventiveness, his tireless creative energy, how he challenges himself in working with different medias (bronze, clay, canvas, stage performances ...) and the way he embraces the world — nature, philosophy, the arts.

What characteristics constitute intelligence?
Always seeing the big picture.

How would you describe the current state of American politics?
Very promising. The election of Obama has given hope to the whole planet.

What do you think is the biggest threat to world peace?
Religion.

What is your definition of success?
To live and share emotions with the greatest artists.

What do you consider your greatest professional achievement?
Not there yet. I’m not sure I’ll ever be there.

Which five people do you most admire and why?
Debussy: a poet
Bill Evans: a poet
Rimbaud: a poet
Federico Fellini: a poet
Harpo Marx: a poet

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Tolerance! Tolerance! Tolerance!

How would you define love?
An irrepressible desire of sharing.

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