Foreste, Lui

Forest’e, Lui Petrovich 

(Louis Forestier). Born 1892; died 1954. Soviet cameraman.

In 1908, Forest’e began working at L. Gaumont’s film plant in Paris, where he thoroughly studied film production. He filmed a number of documentaries, for example, documentaries on the first aviators and a documentary on the earthquake in Messina. In 1910, Forest’e moved to Russia, where, together with A. A. Ryllo, he shot the film The Defense of Sevastopol’ (1911). In 1920 he became a cameraman for the film division of the Moscow Soviet and shot newsreels and documentaries about V. I. Lenin, including scenes of Lenin’s funeral.

In 1924, Forest’e became a cameraman in the Mezhrabpom-Rus’ Film Studio (later renamed Soiuzdetfil’m). His best works include His Appeal (1925), which deals with Lenin’s enrollment in the party, The Salamander (1928), and Gobsek (1937). Forest’e is the author of the book The Great Mute (1945).

Forest’e was awarded the Order of the Badge of Honor.