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.
Directed 33
2010s
- 2010
Still Journey On
Director
Deus Ex Boltanski
Director
2000s
- 2001
Islam: Empire of Faith
Director
- 2000
Looking at Forest of Bliss
Director
Good to Pull (Bon a Tirer)
Director
1990s
- 1998
Sean Scully: Passenger
Director
- 1997
It Could Be Good, It Could Be Bad
Director
Scully in Malaga
Director
Sean Scully: Testigos AKA The Witnesses
Director
1980s
- 1988
Hauling Sharks
Director
- 1986
Forest of Bliss
Director
- 1985
Life Keeps on Passing
Director
Supplicating Women
Director
1970s
- 1978
Healing
Director
- 1976
Altar of Fire
Director
- 1974
Rivers of Sand
Director
- 1973
Policeman
Director
Anthem
Director
Farmer
Director
Lobsterman
Director
Mark Tobey Abroad
Director
- 1972
1960s
- 1968
Creatures of Pain
Director
Salt
Director
- 1966
The Great Sail
Director
Tide
Director
The Photographer
Director
- 1965
Marathon
Director
- 1963
Dead Birds
Director
1950s
- 1958
The Old Lady AKA A Human Document
Director
- 1957
- 1952
Mark Tobey
Director
- 1951
Blunden Harbour
Director
Produced 5
1980s
- 1986
Forest of Bliss
Producer
- 1981
The Shepherds of Berneray
Executive Producer
1970s
- 1973
Mark Tobey Abroad
Producer
- 1970
The Nuer
Producer
1960s
- 1965
People and Particles
Producer
Other crew 5
2000s
- 2000
Pilot Notes: Journals Of A Solitary Aviator
Cinematography
1980s
- 1986
Forest of Bliss
Cinematography
1970s
- 1974
Rivers of Sand
Cinematography
- 1973
Mark Tobey Abroad
Cinematography
1960s
- 1963
Dead Birds
Cinematography
Edited 3
1980s
- 1986
Forest of Bliss
Editor
1970s
- 1974
Rivers of Sand
Editor
1960s
- 1963
Dead Birds
Editor
Wrote 2
1970s
- 1974
Rivers of Sand
Writer
1960s
- 1963
Dead Birds
Writer
Camera 2
2020s
- 2022
Expedition Content
Additional Photography
1970s
- 1970
The Nuer
Additional Photography
Created 1
1970s
- 1972
Appearances12
2000s
- 2003
Oh, What a Blow That Phantom Gave Me!
Self
- 2000
Looking at Forest of Bliss
Himself
1990s
- 1997
Birth of a Nation
Self
- 1993
Time Indefinite
Himself
1980s
- 1985
Loving Krishna
Narrator
Serpent Mother
Narrator
1970s
- 1979
Q'eros: The Shape of Survival
Narrator
- 1972
Reality's Invisible
Self
1960s
- 1963
Dead Birds
Narrator
- 1960
Flaherty and Film
Self - Host
1950s
- 1951
Fort Rupert
Narrator