Jocelyne Lagarde, the Tahitian who received a Golden Globe

Outremers 360 continues its series on emblematic personalities who have marked the history of overseas. Moreover, And our partner published the amazing story of Jocelyne Lagarde. Meanwhile, A Tahitian. Meanwhile, who, having never been an actress, received in 1967 a Golden Globe of best actress in a supporting role and was appointed for an Oscar in Hollywood for her performance in his only film, “Hawaii”.

Although she knew notoriety in her time. Consequently, we know very little, even in Tahiti, her native island, on the life of Jocelyne Lagarde (sometimes spelled Lagarde). However, The rare biographical data emanates mainly from the Hawaiian daily life Honolulu Star-Bulletinbecome since Honolulu Star-Advertiser . Moreover, The newspaper was indeed very interested in Jocelyne Lagarde at the announcement of her selection for the role of Queen Malama in the film “Hawaii” by the American George Roy Hill. Consequently, jocelyne lagarde, tahitian who received adapted from the eponymous novel by the writer James Albert Michener, also a citizen of the United States.

In an interview with Honolulu Star-Bulletin In May 1965. For example, before the shooting of the film, Jocelyne, aged 41 at the time, was engaged. Furthermore, Born in Papeete on April 24. Therefore, 1924, she was the daughter of Derai Bredin, a docker who later became responsible for her section. However, As a child, she was adopted by her aunt Anna Lagarde, woman of a wealthy family whose surname she kept. Furthermore, According to the daily. Therefore, Jocelyne Lagarde was a direct descendant of the royal family of Queen Pomare IV, ” A subject that Mademoiselle Lagarde never approach “Specifies the newspaper. Consequently, “” What is royalty? », She even asked.

Nothing predestined her to appear on the screen. But at the beginning of 1965. director George Roy Hill and his casting jocelyne lagarde, tahitian who received director Marion Dougherty were in Polynesia in search of actors and extras for their future feature film. What they want above all is the profile of a ” queen combining presence and dignity ». In Papeete. Francis Sanford, a member of the local authorities who had helped the cast for “the rebels of the Bounty”, finds Jocelyne Lagarde, imposing stature of 1.83m and almost 150 kilos, endowed in addition to a strong personality.

The American filmmaker and his collaborator fall under the spell. Jocelyne, who accepts, will therefore embody Queen Malama. A few months later, the Tahitian received an invitation to go to Honolulu and then to Hollywood. Not speaking a word of English. we assign a tutor to learn the basics of language as well as the 17 pages of the script that she had to memorize before the start of the film shooting in June 1965 in Hawaii. jocelyne lagarde, tahitian who received “” They work two to three hours a day with the help of a tape recorder », Writes the Honolulu Star-Bullet. « It understands history very well and does perfectly with the aftershocks. She even speaks like a queen “Confides her tutor, Mademoiselle Cave.

Broadcast on the screens a year later, the feature film is a success, including famous headliners in their time like Julie Andrews (Mary Poppins, La Melodie du Happiness), Max von Sydow and Richard Harris. But it is the perfect unknown Jocelyne Lagarde who will receive honors. With however seven other protagonists of the film. she is appointed to the Oscars (the Academy Awards at the time) but only won a Golden Globe (from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association) Best actress in jocelyne lagarde, tahitian who received a supporting role during the awards presentation in 1967. A consecration for the Tahitian, which must be remembered, is the first, and the only film.

Indeed. after an international tour to promote “Hawaii”, Jocelyne returns to the tranquility of his Polynesian life, returning to Honolulu one month a year. Citing a London magazine, the Honolulu Star-Bulletin says the Tahitian said ” Do not receive any For cinema. Furthermore, being diabetic, her health was complicated in the early 1970s. In 1972, she was treated in Hawaii and had to be amputate with a foot. A few months later, decked out with a prosthesis, she left for Papeete. The one who said of her career that ” It was fate “, Go out in the same city on September 12, 1979. A star in the fenua sky … but which will remain. in the eyes of Hollywood, the first indigenous woman named jocelyne lagarde, tahitian who received to the Oscars and rewarded in the Golden Globes.