Henri Verneuil (Հենրի Վեռնյոյ, born Ashot Malakian, 1920–2002) was a celebrated French-Armenian film director and screenwriter, best known for his autobiographical film Mayrig and the classic crime drama The Sicilian Clan. Over a career spanning nearly five decades, Verneuil became one of France’s most successful filmmakers, working with some of the greatest stars of French and international cinema.
Early Life
Henri Verneuil was born Achod Malakian on October 15, 1920, in Rodosto (Tekirdağ), in the Ottoman Empire. His family, survivors of the Armenian Genocide, fled to France in 1924 and settled in Marseille. Growing up in an immigrant family shaped his worldview and left a lasting influence on his later autobiographical works.
He studied engineering at the École Nationale des Arts et Métiers, but his passion for storytelling and cinema soon drew him to filmmaking.
Career in French Cinema
Adopting the pen name Henri Verneuil, he entered the French film industry in the 1940s. His breakthrough came in the 1950s with a series of critically and commercially successful films, which established him as one of the leading directors in France.
Verneuil became known for his versatility, directing comedies, dramas, and thrillers. He collaborated with legendary actors such as Jean Gabin, Alain Delon, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Anthony Quinn, and Charles Aznavour.
Among his most famous films are:
- The Sicilian Clan (1969) – A classic French crime thriller starring Jean Gabin, Alain Delon, and Lino Ventura, which became an international hit.
- Mayrig (1991) – An autobiographical film telling the story of his family’s survival and resettlement in France after the Armenian Genocide, starring Omar Sharif and Claudia Cardinale.
- 588 rue Paradis (1992) – A continuation of Mayrig, exploring identity, family, and the immigrant experience.
Recognition and Honors
Henri Verneuil’s films were screened internationally, earning him recognition beyond France. In 1996, he was elected to the Académie des Beaux-Arts of the Institut de France, a rare honor for a filmmaker.
He was also awarded the Legion of Honour, France’s highest decoration, for his contributions to cinema.
Legacy
Henri Verneuil passed away on January 11, 2002, in Bagnolet, France. He remains a towering figure in French cinema, remembered both for his mastery of storytelling and for bringing the Armenian immigrant experience to the screen.
For Armenians worldwide, Mayrig stands as one of the most poignant cinematic representations of survival, memory, and identity, making Verneuil not only a French cultural icon but also a cherished figure in the Armenian diaspora.