Menegoz was a pivotal force in the film industry, leading Les Films du Losange with passion and precision for 46 years. Under her stewardship, the company became synonymous with independent filmmaking and innovative voices.
Born in Hungary in 1941, Menegoz grew up in Germany and entered the film world through her husband, Robert Menegoz. Together, they traveled globally to produce documentaries. Margaret joined Les Films du Losange in 1975, starting as an assistant to Eric Rohmer and Barbet Schroeder, co-founders of the company. She quickly ascended to become its manager.
During her tenure, Les Films du Losange garnered an Oscar and three Palmes d’Or at Cannes. The company’s portfolio includes prestigious films such as Haneke’s “Amour” and “The White Ribbon,” Rohmer’s “Le rayon vert,” and Agnieszka Holland’s “Europa Europa.”
Menegoz was renowned for her active involvement in all facets of filmmaking, from script development to theatrical release. In the 1980s, she expanded the company by launching a theatrical distribution division and later an international sales division. Her belief in the importance of showcasing films was encapsulated in her saying, “A film is not made to be on a shelf. It is made to be seen, always and everywhere.”
Les Films du Losange also distributed acclaimed films such as Mia Hansen-Love’s “L’avenir” and Lars Von Trier’s “Dancer in the Dark” and “Breaking The Waves.” Menegoz also served as the head of Unifrance from 2003 to 2009, where she boosted the international sales of French cinema.
Her passing has been deeply felt across the European film community. Daniela Elstner, current managing director of Unifrance, praised Menegoz’s profound impact on the industry. “Margaret didn’t just work internationally; she embodied it. Her legacy will live on through her productions and her visionary approach to cinema,” Elstner stated.
Although Menegoz retired from Les Films du Losange and sold it to producer Charles Gillibert and financier Alexis Dantec, her influence on the company’s auteur-driven ethos remains indelible.
