Producer Cleitman Dies

French producer Rene Cleitman has died from an unknown illness in a Paris hospital. He was 64.

The Cyrano de Bergerac film-maker made more than 20 movies during his lifetime with HACHETTE PREMIERE, the film company he formed with actor GERARD DEPARDIEU. His final movie LES YEUX CLAIRS, is due to be released in March (05).

The culture minister for Vabres, France, says, "He was a cultivated man, who was always concerned about protecting the culture of France."

NATIONAL CENTRE FOR CINEMATOGRAPHY director general CATHERINE COLONNA adds, "French and European cinema have lost one of their fiercest protectors and one of their most passionate artists, a producer with an eclectic talent."