Andrew Sarris

Andrew Sarris was an American film critic who was best known for his work as a film critic for The Village Voice and for developing the concept of "auteur theory" in film criticism.

The auteur theory, developed by Andrew Sarris, argues that a film director is the "author" of a film and that their personal creative vision can be seen throughout their body of work. It emphasizes the director's role in shaping the artistic and thematic elements of a film and sees them as the primary contributor to a film's overall style and message.

Andrew Sarris made significant contributions to film criticism, most notably with his development of the auteur theory. He popularized and expanded upon the concepts introduced by the French film critic François Truffaut, and brought auteur theory to the attention of American audiences. Sarris also played a crucial role in establishing film studies as an academic discipline in the United States.

Andrew Sarris wrote extensively about film, having contributed numerous articles and reviews to various publications throughout his career. He is best known for his book "The American Cinema: Directors and Directions 1929–1968," in which he analyzes and ranks American film directors based on his interpretation of the auteur theory. Additionally, he wrote for The Village Voice for over twenty-five years, covering a wide range of topics in film criticism.

Andrew Sarris passed away on June 20, 2012, in Manhattan, New York City, at the age of 83. His death was mourned by the film community, which recognized his significant contributions to film criticism and his impact on the field.