Apr

25

RIP: Jean-Daniel Cadinot (1944-2008)

April 25, 2008 |

Jean-Daniel Cadinot, one of gay adult’s legendary director-photographers, has died. GayPornTimes confirmed the news, through an intermediary, with his production company. Mr. Cadinot, 64, passed Wednesday, April 23 from a heart attack. His career in erotica began in 1972 when he first began to shoot nude photographs and over the next six years produced some 17 photo albums that sold several hundred thousand copies. He formed French Art in 1978 with the release of TENDRES ADOLESCENTS. He viewed filmmaking as gay activism: “”The still photo became too limiting. I quickly reached its boundaries and I had a desire for action and movement,” he once said. “I wanted to go further, to tell our collective stories as gay men. Video enabled me to do just that. I have to say that when I’m shooting photos I prefer to work as an artist and make artistic photos because otherwise it’s not long before it gets pornographic and I don’t like that. In that sense there was a progressive evolution towards films in order for me to tell stories about men. In a way it was my first gay activism to illustrate our sexual stories.” Jean-Daniel Cadinot’s films were celebrated for their sensual imagery and plot-driven narratives. He would write, produce and direct some 60 films over three decades; he won Best Director from the GAYVN Awards in 1991 for THE TRAVELING JOURNEYMAN, and Best Director honors (in 1997 and 2001) from the Venus Awards in Berlin. In 2001 he was inducted into the GAYVN Hall of Fame. Our condolences to his family, colleagues and fans. Click here to read the final entry on his official blog…

Here is the final entry on Jean-Daniel Cadinot’s blog:

“If you’re reading these words I will have put down my camera, switched off the lights, drawn the curtains and taken my final bow. May all the efforts and work of a whole life, the quest for the moment of pure truth in the sublime communion of two beings under the spell of the undefinable desire for the other, inspire those who inherit my heart.

“The human being is made such that it only remembers the good and the beautiful, therefore I leave you with a free mind and a head overflowing with a myriad of young men, sometimes strong and vigorous, sometimes fragile and sensitive. All of them gave me these unforgettable moments of their most tender intimacy, moments that only a few really know but which I made in to images to allow you to admire them over and over again.

“Never were success or personal fortune my creed. You offered me gratitude, and I thank you for that because I wanted nothing else. Cadinot salutes you. Remember a kindly fellow, an extreme observer given to rages and contradiction but who listened to others and was full of love.

“An erect phallus is a symbol of life, a cross a symbol of death.”

[Image © 2003 François Orenn.]

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Fleshbot: “In Memoriam: Au Revoir, Jean-Daniel Cadinot”

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Comments

51 Comments so far

  1. Stephen on April 25, 2008 7:27 pm

    Holy shit….weren’t you just talking about his new movie a week ago. What a shocker…poetic final words, though.

    “An erect phallus is a symbol of life, a cross a symbol of death.”

    That’s my new motto, I think.

  2. TreasureIslandFan on April 25, 2008 7:35 pm

    I am shocked. I just don’t know what to say. Jean Daniel Cadinot was my among favorite directors, and was a great influence in my younger years. I actually traveled to Los Angeles and bought a ticket to the Gayvn Awards just to meet him when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Thank you for sharing yourself with the world.

  3. Anonymous on April 25, 2008 7:37 pm

    RIP, maestro…..

  4. Blue Blake on April 25, 2008 7:53 pm

    I am incredibly shocked….. I grew up with his work and he definitely influenced my style of film making. He was a genius and there are not many left within the adult industry. Truly innovative and provocative, I will miss him enormously.

    Blue Blake

  5. DeWayne on April 25, 2008 8:21 pm

    I am so saddened by this he was truly an exceptional filmmaker our first gayfilm auteur/pornographer.

    In fact calling Cadinot a pornographer seems disrespectful until you realized he embraced his work.

    Has anyone had a better exit line

    “An erect phallus is a symbol of life, a cross a symbol of death.”

  6. Damon Kruezer on April 25, 2008 8:27 pm

    I am deeply grieved by Monsieur Cadinot’s passing at such an early age. One of my formative influences as a script writer and director of webisode scenes now playing on certain VOD sites was Cadinot’s “Traveling Journeyman” and who can forget “Insatiable”?

    I had the occasion to videoconference with some of his models back in 2003 who showed me their collection of dildos with which they practiced prior to filming their scenes, and all loved and adored the master. The man was a true auteur whose films emphasized the rougher side of anal sex and twink-daddy pairings that proved to be explosively erotic. Monsieur Cadinot will be greatly missed.

  7. V.J. on April 25, 2008 8:30 pm

    His movies were very erotic, especially the early ones. I never forgot this story I read in a european magazine, I was living in Paris at the time and Cadinots movies were the only ones to rent [as far as I was concerned], anyway the article said that Cadinot sometimes did not even scout for models as there were enough parents bringing their kids [teens] to him hoping he would use them in his movies. Can you imagine?. I never forgot that- true story.

  8. Will on April 25, 2008 8:58 pm

    I just found out 2 minutes ago and am having a hard time processing it. Even though his later output was generally unavailable here, just knowing he was still making the best porn in the world that I would someday be fortunate enough to see was somehow enough. I guess we should be grateful he had an active and productive life up until the end.

  9. Michael Lucas on April 25, 2008 9:47 pm

    This is very sad… he was the first director i worked for and the first to show me the night life of the city i love thirteen years ago.

    Best regards,
    Michael Lucas

  10. Sinu' on April 26, 2008 12:07 am

    He will always be ‘The Spirit of Eternity’.

  11. AnthoNYC on April 26, 2008 7:19 am

    This is shocking and so sad. I have been reading his blog on a regular basis and always enjoyed his insights into the art of being a human.

    Recently he seemed to have become even more energized by his upcoming movies.

    I hope he has assembled a good set of people around him to carry on his visions.

  12. Chip Daniels on April 26, 2008 7:56 am

    Jean-Daniel was a good friend and mentor, and for a few years we even tried our hands at distributing one another’s movies. I visited Jean-Daniel at his villa in France several times over the years, where he taught me how he would create movies. Jean-Daniel was, like me, a perfectionist when it came to his work. He truly loved the male physique and sought to share the beauty he saw with the world through the eyes of his lens. We all know that he acheived his goal many times over. Jean-Daniel enjoyed spending his free time at home with his ‘petites chiens’, his small dogs, who were in a very real sense also his children. Although, because of his formidable will and determination he could often rub associates the wrong way, his joy of life, a nice bottle of wine, and a good home cooked (yes, he cooked for himself) stew, shared with friends and family, revealed the true man behind the genius, one whom I will surely miss, and without whom our entire industry is less. God speed, Jean-Daniel, et adieu!

  13. Bill in S.F. on April 26, 2008 9:13 am

    So many of the most indelible images in my mind from several decades of “porn” are his (it somehow feels wrong to call what he does “porn”). This news unexpectedly strikes me very hard. I take comfort in knowing he had a long, productive life lived on his own terms. We should all be so lucky.

  14. Chi Chi LaRue on April 26, 2008 10:04 am

    I am truly saddened by this loss.
    Jean Daniel was a true artist and a really sweet soul meeting him in Barcelona was a great gift.

  15. Sammy on April 26, 2008 10:22 am

    Hey JCA, why did you delete my question that tipped you off to the death of Cadinot? Seems fishy to me that you act as if you found out about the story when I posted a comment here before.

  16. JC Adams on April 26, 2008 10:36 am

    Sammy — When did you originally post? My webmaster was cleaning up a spam attack yesterday, so it’s possible yours was deleted by mistake. Apologies.

    Regards,
    JCA

  17. Will on April 26, 2008 10:45 am

    It will be interesting to see if this gets any mainstream coverage.

  18. Charlie Torrini on April 26, 2008 12:24 pm

    I mourn the death of a Master of Homoeroticiscm! May he Rest in Peace!

  19. Brian on April 26, 2008 1:05 pm

    For Kent Barclay/Damon Kruezer to say he had anything to do with Cadinot is a shame and a pity. Cadinot was a great man and had nothing whatsoever EVER to do with that loser. That man is going to ruin this blog for everyone is continues to be allowed to dirty it up.

  20. Kevin Clarke on April 26, 2008 1:31 pm

    There are not many giants left from the past and it is a sad day when one passes. I did meet him when he was at the GAYVN’s, he was interested in a model of mine Court Logan. He was a gentleman and in a business where they are few and far between it is a indeed a sad day.

  21. Will on April 26, 2008 1:38 pm

    Brian - Couldn’t agree more. Even on such a sad occasion his post is all about HIM. Revolting.

  22. Jeremy Spencer on April 26, 2008 2:15 pm

    I met Jean-Daniel Cadinot the year we inducted him in the GayVN Hall of Fame back in 2001. It’s something that almost never happened because we (AVN, when I was there) had to fly him in from Paris and put him up in a hotel - and it wasn’t cheap. But we were able to convince the boss that it was worth it and I’m so glad we did.
    I remember where I met him, too. There was a pre-GayVN party at Rage in West Hollywood and I met him - well, I met the interpreter first - at the bar upstairs in the back of the bar.
    I remember he was small but energetic. And I remember that he didn’t speak but a few words of English. He knew ‘thank you,’ - that I DO know, because it’s all he said that weekend.
    He was a very gracious man and I wonder if he truly knew what impact his films had on the gay adult industry - and on everyone who’s commented above.
    He will truly be missed… I’m so glad that we got that brief opportunity to thank him for all his work.

  23. Marc-Chronicles of Pornia on April 26, 2008 2:21 pm

    Cadinot was one of the very first gay movie directors whose name I learned and films I discovered while coming out and then watched his movies. A true legend and visionary. Peace Be With You Jean-Daniel.

  24. Peter Z Pan on April 26, 2008 3:22 pm

    This man was a true hero to me. In his prime, his work was brilliant. He was a true artist — not a pornographer. Arguably the greatest Gay erotica filmmaker ever. There will never be another like him, though many try. May he rest in peace. His legacy will continue to inspire filmmakers and delight audiences as long as the moving image exists.

  25. Kayden on April 26, 2008 8:40 pm

    Brian and Will -

    So it’s OK for PZP and J. Spencer and Chip Daniels to talk about Cadinot and his influencing them, but it’s not OK if Damon K offers his reminiscenses?

    Also Damon K is spot on about the interracial and rough anal sex aspects, and I know for a fact most all of Cadinot’s models used dildos to warm up for their scenes just as Damon says.

    I feel that Mr. Kruezer has given us some new insights and valuable details about a man he clearly adored, J.D. Cadinot. I for one am grateful to him.

  26. Will on April 26, 2008 9:10 pm

    Brian - Look at his first post carefully. Do you believe he has ever seen a Cadinot film, or even knew who he was before yesterday? (Two films he names are two of the only ones in current US DVD catalog.)

  27. Peter Z Pan on April 26, 2008 9:56 pm

    Wow! Bad form to have a catfight in the man’s obituary.

  28. Will on April 26, 2008 10:36 pm

    Peter - As I said in another thread, I truly do apologize and agree it is highly inappropriate here. If I had my way all fraudulent posters would be banned from JC’s site, but [ ] chooses to spread his lies even in a solemn thread like this. I will do my best to igore it.

  29. Jame_Hendrix on April 27, 2008 12:01 am

    Wow, What a loss.
    to: Jean…
    May you “Rest In Peace”. You as well as so many of the good veteran directors, like Chuck Holmes, Matt Sterling and many more touched my life in so many ways, helped me to find a career, a passion, a drive for the images we create in the Gay XXX and Gay Movie Genres. May your legacy live on in our hearts as well as in our minds. May the the films you made bring joy, happiness and a clear focus to a whole new era and new generation of viewers. May you Rest In Peace. I just saw your BRAND NEW film today…what a weird freakin’ day and a great loss eternally………
    JH

  30. Jamie_Hendrix on April 27, 2008 12:02 am

    Wow, What a loss.
    to: Jean…
    May you “Rest In Peace”. You as well as so many of the good veteran directors, like Chuck Holmes, Matt Sterling and many more touched my life in so many ways, helped me to find a career, a passion, a drive for the images we create in the Gay XXX and Gay Movie Genres. May your legacy live on in our hearts as well as in our minds. May the the films you made bring joy, happiness and a clear focus to a whole new era and new generation of viewers. May you Rest In Peace. I just saw your BRAND NEW film today…what a weird freakin’ day and a great loss eternally………
    JH

  31. Cock Addict on April 27, 2008 5:31 am

    good-bye Monsieur Cadinot, many many thanks for the hot exciting porn you have given me over the years, may you rest in peace, u won’t be forgotten.

  32. Damon Kruezer on April 27, 2008 10:49 am

    Thank you Peter Z. You are a man of good sense, great taste and incredibly accomplished visual artistry in your films. I can’t wait to see and review your latest TWINK WHISPERER which my good friend Aaron Tyler tells me will be your most outstanding work yet.

    As for those who doubt my acquaintance with the late, great Cadinot, if they could see my extensive VHS and DVD catalog of almost all his films - including those never distributed in the U.S. - and communications from JDC to me and mine to him - their jaws would no doubt drop.

    But clearly we are well beyond “proving” anything to such people, since it’s clear that nothing short of a written statement from JDC himself in the months preceding his untimely demise would convince them.

    And many have noted that when repeatedly proven wrong the DK haters instead of gracefully admitting their mistake merely drop all mention of it and then move on to another provocation or misstatement.

    Enough time for them. We should honor the memory of Monsieur Cadinot and treasure his sterling contributions to the gay video oeuvre. He truly was one of a kind and I gratefully acknowledge his influence on my own fledging directorial career.

  33. Gerry on April 27, 2008 1:11 pm

    Adieu to the master. Agreed with what someone said earlier; he lived a creatively fulfilled life on his own terms. And he got the final word! We should all be so lucky. He will be remembered.

    Gerry
    Palm Springs, Calif.

  34. Anonymous on April 27, 2008 1:16 pm

    Everyone knows Cadinot, Bjorn, one or two others. There aren’t many left of his caliber. Real artists, real filmmakers, people who weren’t just interested in cranking them out to fulfill a quota. This hits me hard, too. I just came here to just find out what was going on in the porn world and read this. Shocking. Adieu, Cadinot.

  35. desslocktx on April 27, 2008 1:31 pm

    Some of the first gay porn movies that I saw, and quickly rented constantly, were Cadinot’s. His movies made a distinct impression on me, and instructed to me that even in gay porn, a director can have something to say.

    Several months ago I dusted off an old VHS tape of Under the Sign of the Stallion. It is a movie about a writer making ends meet sitting at home all day writing about porn, all mixed in with handling a doting Smithers-type assistant and frequent breaks around the town for, um, inspiration.

    Wow… that sure hit close to my home, and it was filmed twenty years ago!

    Mr. Cadinot could take stories to an audience like an Aesop fable. -Steve

  36. PJ on April 27, 2008 4:41 pm

    I love his movies more than anyone else’s. When will a distributor pick up his catalog and release them affordably here in North America?

  37. TreasureIslandFan on April 27, 2008 5:56 pm

    I’m still shocked by this news. In a perfect world, all of Cadinot’s films would have pristine DVD editions here in the U.S. with director’s commentary. But, we expect too much from the American “mainstream” porn business.

    It’s been interesting and encouraging to read so many comments from industry professionals like Chi Chi, Blue Blake, Michael Lucas and others.

  38. Damon Kruezer on April 28, 2008 10:36 am

    I feel so very lucky to own the uncut DVD editions of most of Cadinot’s work, including the uncut French import versions of Minets Sauvages and Minets de Info that are impossible to find uncut at any price in the U.S. Interestingly the deleted scenes are comprised of extremely rough anal sex with twinks that were or are considered too “rough” by timid U.S. distributors…although the models involved clearly go from pain to pleasure in a New York minute. Extremely good porn by the master J.D. Cadinot whose like we will not see again.

    I advise those interested in Cadinot’s work to cross compare the U.S. versions and the French versions of the 2 DVD’s I referenced and you’ll see exactly what I mean.

  39. Bill in S.F. on April 28, 2008 11:32 am

    It does my heart good to read so many sincere remembrances of Cadinot. It’s been a few days and I’m still struck by the news. I sincerely wish his films had been more readily available here. Life goes on.

  40. pete on April 28, 2008 8:51 pm

    What a shock. We have lost a brilliant man who had the eye for gorgeous men and beautiful scenes with all the passion and love that would come through his videos.
    He will be truly missed.

  41. yves mignon on April 29, 2008 3:16 am

    Damon, as you may know, I am well aware (being French and a devotee of Cadinot myself in my blond twink days) of the deleted scenes of “extremely rough anal sex with twinks that were or are considered too ‘rough’ by timid U.S. distributors…although the models involved clearly go from pain to pleasure in a New York minute.” I totally agree with you: “Extremely good porn by the master J.D. Cadinot whose like we will not see again.” May he RIP.

  42. Damon Kruezer on April 29, 2008 1:03 pm

    Yves I well remember the hot times we had as you so courageously took the biggest toys I could find in an effort to please me, just like the Cadinot models did in the movies I referenced to please the Master.

    And please me you did, with your sweat pouring down your smooth twink body shuddering in ecstasy as you were opened up in a way you didn’t think possible as you panted and yelled out your painful pleasure.

    It was hotter even than Brad Star getting pounded into mindblowing panting ecstasy by horsedicked Angel Skye this past weekend in New York.

    I always said Brad was hotter as a bottom and Angel and Micheal Lucas proved me right.

    Interesting how most other industry writers have failed to pick up on this major story, even though I’ve been hinting about it for weeks.

    I’m so happy my viral marketing campaign for Angel and Brad has worked out so well as the continuing “controversy” kept them in the news. As planned.

  43. Al on April 29, 2008 2:46 pm

    Merci Monsieur Cadinot, you will always be the best. Until We Meet Again.

  44. teggs on April 30, 2008 7:00 am

    a person who changed porn to erotica.
    you will be missed…

  45. Larry G. on April 30, 2008 9:45 pm

    A true filmmaker and artist. I agree with everyone else who said this news shocked them unexpectedly. Thank you, Jean-Daniel Cadinot. You were truly one of a kind.

  46. Toby Ross on May 2, 2008 5:25 am

    I was so saddened to hear this, I just woke up and am reading this bad news item of a man who made beautiful films that oobviously must have come out of a beautiful soul. RIP Jean Daniel, I’ll see you sometimes soon.

    Toby Ross

  47. leo on May 8, 2008 4:13 am

    глубоко опечален уходом из жизни великолепного художника, смелого человека, который открыл новые горизонты человеческих отношений. спасибо емую.

  48. Will on May 9, 2008 11:04 am

    Translation, anybody?

  49. DeWayne on May 9, 2008 12:53 pm

    Will a “rough” translation,,,

    I am deeply grieved by the loss of the life of a magnificent artist, a courageous person whoopened new horizons of human Sexual attitudes. Thanks емую.

    I would agree with our Russian friend.

  50. Will on May 10, 2008 4:39 pm

    Thank you.

  51. Barry on May 11, 2008 10:52 am

    DeWayne, thanks for the translation. Just goes to show the reach of Jean-Daniel Cadinot’s influence.-Barry

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