Universally admired by his fellow filmmakers, Jean Renoir is considered one of the first great "auteurs," a cinematic master whose distinctive style always centered on concern for human issues and a reverence for natural beauty. Renoir's work is characterized by a sense of visual realism, the love of nature and a poetic representation of the physical environment, modest use of camera movement, an emphasis on long takes and deep focus photography, and naturalistic acting. His best films are multi-dimensional critiques of the human condition, managing to function as farce, drama, and tragedy all at once; they manifest Renoir's unique ability to be both acerbic social critic and heartfelt humanist.
