Michele Bernhardt

Roger Vadim, born Roger Vadim Plemiannikov, was a French screenwriter, director, producer, and author. He gained recognition for his visually opulent films that frequently explored erotic themes, such as "And God Created Woman," "Blood and Roses," and "Barbarella."

Born in Paris to a Russian émigré father and a French actress mother, Vadim's early life included periods in North Africa and the Middle East due to his father's diplomatic career. Following his father's death, his family returned to France, where his mother managed a hostel that aided Jewish refugees fleeing Nazism. Vadim studied journalism and writing but did not graduate.

His career began as an assistant to director Marc Allégret, contributing to several screenplays. He transitioned to directing with "And God Created Woman" (1956), which propelled Brigitte Bardot to international stardom. Throughout his career, Vadim had a notable pattern of casting and forming relationships with actresses, including Brigitte Bardot, Annette Stroyberg, Jane Fonda, and Catherine Deneuve. He also authored several books, including memoirs and accounts of his relationships with prominent actresses.

Roger Vadim established himself as a filmmaker with a distinctive style, often characterized by lavish visuals and a focus on eroticism. His directorial debut, "And God Created Woman" (1956), starring Brigitte Bardot, was a significant international success and cemented Bardot's status as a global icon. Vadim continued to explore these themes in subsequent films like "Blood and Roses" (1960), "The Game Is Over" (1966), and "Barbarella" (1968). He frequently adapted classic erotic texts, such as "Les liaisons dangereuses" (1959) and "La Ronde" (1964), believing that "when I make a picture about relations between people, something erotic comes through; I can't help it! But sex has been an inspiration, the greatest inspiration, since art exists."

Vadim was widely noted for his romantic relationships and marriages, predominantly with actresses he often cast in his films. His notable partners included Brigitte Bardot, Annette Stroyberg (who became his second wife), Jane Fonda (his third wife), and Catherine Deneuve, with whom he had a son. He also had relationships with Sylvia Kristel and Cindy Pickett. His personal life was marked by these high-profile unions and liaisons, which often intertwined with his professional endeavors.

Beyond his extensive film work, Roger Vadim was also an author. He penned several books, including his memoirs such as "Memoires du Diable" and "Le Gout du Bonheur: Souvenirs 1940–1958," as well as an autobiography titled "D'une étoile à l'autre" (From One Star to the Next). He also published "Bardot, Deneuve & Fonda: My Life with the Three Most Beautiful Women in the World," a tell-all about his famous former partners. Vadim also wrote plays and fiction, including a work titled "L'ange affamé."

“When I make a picture about relations between people, something erotic comes through; I can't help it! But sex has been an inspiration, the greatest inspiration, since art exists.”

“My attitude is that if this book makes me a little money it will be a tiny compensation for all the money I helped those actresses make”