• Marcel Ophuls, renowned for his documentary "The Sorrow and the Pity," has died at age 97.
• Ophuls challenged the myth of widespread French resistance during WWII through his pivotal films.
• He was born in Germany and later became a significant figure in cinema, known for his innovative storytelling techniques.
• His film "Hôtel Terminus" won an Oscar for best documentary and showcased his unique interviewing style.

Marcel Ophuls, the influential filmmaker known for challenging narratives around World War II, died on May 24 at the age of 97, according to The New York Times. Ophuls, whose groundbreaking documentary "The Sorrow and the Pity" questioned the myth of French resistance to Nazi occupation, was celebrated globally for his incisive and compelling storytelling.

Born Hans Marcel Oppenheimer in Frankfurt, Germany, on November 1, 1927, Ophuls and his family fled the Nazis for France before ultimately moving to Hollywood during World War II. He began his career in filmmaking with fiction but rose to prominence with his 1969 documentary, "The Sorrow and the Pity," which ran over four hours and interviewed a broad range of subjects about their experiences during the Nazi occupation of France. This documentary faced criticism and was banned from French television until 1981 for its perceived critique of the French populace, as reported by Le Monde and NPR.

Ophuls also gained recognition for his 1988 film "Hôtel Terminus," which explored the life of Klaus Barbie, a notable Nazi collaborator. This documentary won the Oscar for best documentary feature, showcasing Ophuls' ability to present complex narratives while maintaining viewer engagement. Interviews conducted in a manner that allowed interviewees to feel at ease, coupled with his insistence on the subjective nature of documentary filmmaking, defined his approach, as noted by Le Monde and The New York Times.

Throughout his career, Ophuls stated, "There's a relationship between attention span and morality," emphasizing the importance of time-intensive narratives to promote reflection on significant historical themes. His documentaries are considered not only artistic achievements but also essential conduits for understanding complex human behaviors during crises, reports NPR and Le Monde.