Henri Decaë (31 July 1915 – 7 March 1987) gained fame as a cinematographer entering the film industry as a sound engineer and sound editor. He was a photojournalist in the French army during World War II. After the war he began making documentary shorts, directing and photographing industrial and commercial films. In 1947 he made his first feature film.
Decaë is strongly associated with directors who strongly influenced, or were part of, the French New Wave. These include Jean-Pierre Melville, Louis Malle and Claude Chabrol. Decaë first worked as a cinematographer with Melville on Le Silence de la Mer (1949). Decaë also edited and mixed the sound. Although Decaë worked with Melville on Les enfants terribles, which as Williams commented (1992, p333) "...the work is more accurately to be viewed as a stunning demonstration of the cinematic possibilities of faithful literary adaptation in the hands of a gifted director", according to Marie (p 88) it was his distinctive camera work on Bob le flambeur which caught the attention of the Cahiers critics. Malle hired him for his first two features and Chabrol for his first three features. They had been lucky as Decaë was finding it hard to get work at that time as he was being informally shunned by many after participating in a critical film about the Korean War. By the time Decaë worked for François Truffaut on The 400 Blows he came with a reputation, which meant that he was the highest-paid person on the film.
Decaë's liking for natural light, his ability to work at speed as well as his excellent photographic sensibility led to him working with René Clément on several features beginning with Plein soleil (1960). It was Decaë "...who liberated the camera, from its fixed tripod. He made the New Wave possible, backing up Melville, Malle, Chabrol and Truffaut." (Marie, 2003 p 89)
For bibliographical references see bibliography under Cinema of France.
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Some of their strengths
Henri Decae has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Energetic, Optimistic, Passionate, Intelligent, Brave, Intuitive, and Adventurous.
Bold and Confident
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Henri Decae is someone who is a bold, confident, energetic, and optimistic person, who is able to combine personal warmth and charisma with intelligence. A person who looks for jobs that tend to reflect their identity.
Soulful and Intuitive
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Henri Decae well know them as someone who can be graceful, romantic, and reserved, like gentle rain.
Inventive and Clever
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Henri Decae as someone who is flexible, intelligent, and quick-witted.
A person who likes to be creative, and to be recognized for their artistic talents. Who possesses intelligence, mental discipline, and ambition, and who does well in relationships and partnerships.
Social and Intuitive
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Henri Decae is someone who values forming deep friendships and relationships, and who has strong intuition and reasoning skills .
They are also someone who is charismatic, compassionate, and understanding, and who is interested in expressing themselves through writing, public speaking, or teaching.
Creative and Leadership-oriented
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Henri Decae tends to be someone who is a natural leader, with determination, motivational powers, and who takes obligations seriously. Who has charisma, a sense of humor, and who tends to attract attention.
Some of Henri Decae's challenges
While Henri Decae has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Henri Decae can be Arrogant, Status-seeking, Short-tempered, Impulsive, Emotional, Standoffish, and Unfocused.
Arrogant and Status-seeking
One of Henri Decae's key challenges is that they are someone who can come across as arrogant and status-seeking.
Unfocused and Indecisive
Henri Decae is someone who can be scattered, restless, and insensitive, be distracted by fluctuating professional interests, be a workaholic, and who can be arrogant and have difficulty accepting advice.
Domineering and Stubborn
Finally, Henri Decae also can be too rebellious, not respond to criticism well, and be too emotional and extreme about things.
