Jean-Pierre Kalfon - Size XS, 1983

Arnaud Baumann   Famous Artists

Jean-Pierre Kalfon, born in Paris on October 30, 1938, is a French actor, director and theater director. From his early days in the 60s, he attracted attention with landmark roles in New Wave films, working with directors such as Jean-Luc Godard and François Truffaut.

Kalfon has diversified his artistic career, navigating between cinema, television and theater. His magnetic screen presence and ability to embody complex characters have firmly established him in the French film landscape.

At the same time, he has explored theatrical directing, successfully helming several productions. His passion for classical and contemporary theater has led him to play major roles while contributing to the cultural enrichment of the French stage.

Throughout his career, Kalfon has evolved with French cinema, adapting his style to changing times and trends. His varied filmography bears witness to his versatility, ranging from committed dramas to light-hearted comedies.

Jean-Pierre Kalfon remains a respected figure in the entertainment world, embodying the artistic spirit and creativity that have characterized French cinema for decades. His career, rich in success and prestigious collaborations, continues to inspire subsequent generations of artists.

In the 1980s, Arnaud Baumann set himself a challenge: to take nude portraits of his friends, which he would publish in the book "Carnet d'adresses" (Little Black Book). The first photo, to convince others, was a leaping self-portrait in his apartment. Nudity in photography was not so common, especially among men. Reiser's photo dates from November 11, 1982, a year before his death [on November 5, 1983]. Reiser had told the photographer a few years earlier, "If one day you make a portrait of me, I would like it to be as a knight." The series ended with a self-portrait in flames, an ultimate act of acknowledgment towards the models laid bare.