laurent petitgand

composer, original score

A prolific composer, recording artist, arranger, performer and actor, Laurent Petitgand’s work has been featured in a long list of films by internationally recognized directors.

A seven-time collaborator with Wim Wenders—both on his own and with his band Dick Tracy—Petitgand composed for the films “Tokyo-Ga” (1985), “Wings of Desire” (1986), “Arisha, The Bear and The Stone Ring” (1992), “Faraway, So Close!” (1993), “Beyond the Clouds” co-directed with Michelangelo Antonioni (1995), and “Lumière and Company” (1996). Wenders and Petitgand also worked together on a musical stage version of “Lumière and Company.”

In addition to ICE PEOPLE, recent film projects include “The Inner Life of Martin Frost” by Paul Auster, “Les Gueules Noires” by Rodolphe Bertrand et Marianne Tardieu,  “La Sieste” by Laurent Halgand, “Ferrari 49” by Michael Klier, “Le Dernier Silence”  by Damien Boyer, “Cowboy Angels”–a second collaboration with Kim Massee, and “Sunday in Winter” by Hella Wenders.

Petitgand has worked with filmmakers including Pascal Rémy, Philomène Esposito, Christophe Le Masne, Solveig Dommartin, Philippe Niang, Sébastien Régnier, Dan Mestanza, Jan Schütte, Carole Tresca.

Among many other musical accomplishments, Petitgand has composed for theatre and dance, particularly for choreographer Angelin Preljocaj's ballet company, where he met his wife, the dancer and actress Katia Medici.
A self-taught musician who plays guitar, piano and saxophone, Petitgand was raised in a family of nine children. He performed in his church choir from the ages of 7 to 14 before launching his professional career, first as a solo artist and then with several bands.

Petitgand has also acted in some dozen productions, including many of the films that he scored. His first role was that of the Alekan Circus conductor in “Wings of Desire", and he appeared subsequently in the movies of Solveig Dommartin, Kim Massee, Pascal Rémy, and Christophe Le Masne, among others.

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the filmmakers

Anne Aghion
Director & Producer
• Awards include an Emmy, a UNESCO Fellini Prize and a Guggenheim Fellowship. Critics praise Anne for conveying, without preconception, a strong sense of the people and places she covers.
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Nadia Ben Rachid
Editor
• Nadia joins Anne for this third collaboration following their Emmy-winning work on the Rwandan Gacaca.  
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Sylvestre Guidi
Director of Photography
• More than 20 years of documentary production experience—filming from the top of the world to the bottom.
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Richard Fleming
Sound Recordist
• Having traveled the world recording sound, Richard rejoins Anne on location for ICE PEOPLE.
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Laurent Petitgand
Composer, original score
• A prolific composer, recording artist, arranger, performer and actor, Petitgand’s work has been featured in a long list of films.
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Benoit Gryspeerdt
Producer
• Benoit joins Anne as a producing partner following his work as production manager on her previous award-winning films. 
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