French Film Director Claude Berri Dies

Berri was hospitalised at the Pitie-Salpetriere hospital in Paris at the weekend with a serious neurological condition.

French director and producer Claude Berri, whose films included the international hit "Jean de Florette", has died, the office of President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Monday. He was 74.

Berri was hospitalised at the Pitie-Salpetriere hospital in Paris at the weekend with a serious neurological condition.

Among his most popular films were the adaptations of Marcel Pagnol's tragic tales of Provencal life, "Jean de Florette" and "Manon des Sources", which starred Gerard Depardieu, Yves Montand and Emmanuelle Beart.

He also directed an adaptation of Emile Zola's "Germinal" and was a prolific producer, whose credits included Roman Polanski's 1979 drama "Tess" as well as last year's "Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis", the most successful French film ever.

"He could work in every register and make us laugh or cry but above all he made his public think and ask questions, he educated the viewer," the Elysee Palace said.