Statement by the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, on the Occasion of the Death of Gilles Carle

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Nov. 29, 2009) - It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Gilles Carle, one of our greatest filmmakers.

Gilles Carle's career spanned many decades and included several years at the National Film Board. He made more than 30 films of all genres, and his works include Les Plouffes and Maria Chapdelaine. He was a man of wide-ranging and profound talent, whose films explored many aspects of Quebec culture. They are part of our cultural heritage.

He received prestigious awards throughout his career, including numerous Genies and Canadian Film Awards. In 1997, Mr. Carle received a Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement. He was invested into the Order of Canada in 1999.

On behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Government of Canada, I extend our deepest sympathy to Mr. Carle's family and friends.