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Veteran Quebec filmmaker Gilles Carle dies

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One of Quebec's greatest filmmakers, whose works won international praise, died early Saturday. Gilles Carle was 80.He battled Parkinson's disease for a number of years and was recently hospitalized following a heart attack and complications from pneumonia.Quebec Premier Jean Charest released a statement lamenting the death of a man who profoundly influenced Quebec culture."Gilles Carle was among the most important filmmakers in Quebec, a man of immense talent and who has been recognized internationally," Charest said.Carle gave his life to cinema.The prolific director is known for works like La vraie nature de Bernadette (The Real Bernadette), Maria Chapdelaine, Les Plouffes (The Plouffes) and Pudding Chomeur (Bread Pudding).Born in Maniwaki, Que., he grew up in Abitibi and later moved to Montreal in 1940 to study drawing. But he fell in love with film.Carle's passion for cinema spawned a decades-long career that produced 30 works, running the gamut from fiction to documentary and television specials.The themes of his films often touched on sexuality and the trials of everyday people.In 1961, he began working at the National Film Board of Canada and co-directed, with Louis Portugais, his first film, Manger (Eat).With 25 Genies and other Canadian prizes to his name, he is one ...