UGC PH founder Philippe Hellmann dies

The news was confirmed today by UGC PH, the French distribution company that Hellmann founded. No cause of death was announced.

He was one of the founding partners that bought media company UGC in 1971, later creating and serving as president of UGC PH, which is an independent distributor and international co-producer.

His colleagues at UGC PH said: “We are all profoundly affected by this sudden loss. He was a friend and an amazing person to work with. Philippe had dedicated his life to the cinema, with talent and passion.”

“He especially contributed to the renown of the Italian, British and independent cinema in France, and he accompanied directors and films with delicacy and dedication. Philippe was also one of the founding shareholders of UGC and he has faithfully supported its development for the past 40 years. We lose a friend, a colleague, an engaging personality of elegance, discretion and charisma. He will be deeply missed.”

Hellmann was also owner and manager of the famed Grand Rex cinema in Paris.

He recently served as producer on Lisa Cholodenko’s acclaimed The Kids Are All Right.

UGC PH distributed films including Ang Lee’s The Wedding Banquet, Nikita Mikhalkov’s Dark Eyes, Terry Gilliam’s 12 Monkeys, Pedro Almodóvar’s High Heels; David Cronenberg’s eXistenZ; Sidney Lumet’s Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead; and Christopher Nolan’s Memento.

He is survived by his wife Marianne and his children.

A religious ceremony will be held Thursday in Paris.