Siné

Maurice Sinet

Siné in March 2007

Siné in March 2007
Born Maurice Sinet
(1928-12-31)31 December 1928
Paris, France
Died 5 May 2016(2016-05-05) (aged 87)
Paris, France
Area(s) Political cartoons
Pseudonym(s) Siné
Notable works
 Complainte sans Paroles
Siné Massacre
Awards Prix de l'Humour noir, 1955

Maurice Sinet (31 December 1928 – 5 May 2016), known professionally as Siné, was a French political cartoonist. His work is noted for its anti-capitalism, anti-clericalism, anti-colonialism, and anarchism.

Drawings in a photo by Paolo Monti (1960)

Biography

As a young man Siné studied drawing and graphic arts, while earning a living as a cabaret singer. His first published drawing appeared in France Dimanche in 1952. Siné received the Prix de l'Humour noir in 1955 for his collection Complainte sans Paroles. His series of drawings on cats was his breakthrough. He then started working for L'Express as a political cartoonist.

Siné's anti-colonialism caused controversy during the Algerian war. He was sued a number of times, being defended by Jacques Vergès, then a lawyer for the Algerian Liberation Front.

In 1962 Siné left L'Express and published a book of his work called Siné Massacre, noted for its anti-colonialism, anti-capitalism, anti-clericalism and anarchism. In reviewing the book, the British satirical magazine Private Eye described Siné's cartoons as "grotesque," and criticised publisher Penguin Books for its managerial incompetence.[1]

In May 1968, together with Jean-Jacques Pauvert, Siné launched L'Enragé, a short-lived satirical journal associated with the May 1968 events in France.

Siné died after undergoing surgery at a hospital in Paris on 5 May 2016, aged 87.[2]

Controversy and sacking

In 1982, shortly after a terrorist attack had taken place on Jews in Paris, Siné gave an interview on the radio during which he stated: "Yes, I am anti-Semitic and I am not scared to admit it [...] I want all Jews to live in fear, unless they are pro-Palestinian. Let them die." He later apologised for his comments.[3]

In July 2008, Siné's column in the magazine Charlie Hebdo contained this comment on Jean Sarkozy's rumoured impending conversion to Judaism so he could marry Jewish heiress Jessica Sebaoun-Darty: "He'll go a long way in life, this lad!"[4]

This led to complaints of anti-Semitism and journalist Claude Askolovitch described the comments as anti-Semitic.[3] The magazine's editor, Philippe Val, ordered Siné to write a letter of apology or face termination. The cartoonist said he would rather "cut his own balls off", and was promptly fired. Both sides subsequently filed lawsuits, and in December 2010, Siné won a 40,000-euro court judgment against his former publisher for wrongful termination.[5]

Siné reported a death threat posted on a site run by the Jewish Defense League. The text said "20 centimeters of stainless steel in the gut, that should teach the bastard to stop and think."[6]

References

  1. ↑ Private Eye #130 (9 December 1966), p. 3:
    When an old family concern (like the BBC) decides to get 'with-it', you can be sure that the results will be farcical. So with Penguin Books. ... Now, as part of their Christmas fare comes a book of grotesque cartoons — by Siné, the tone of which is well conveyed by the first drawing which shows a nun undressing while Christ leers salaciously down at her from the crucifix on the wall. Penguin (like the BBC) is so incompetently run that those in authority did not realise the nature of the work until it was too late. Now a full-scale boardroom rumpus has developed and resignations may follow. (Needless to say W.H. Smith is handling the book without a murmur).
  2. ↑ "Former Charlie Hebdo cartoonist 'Siné' dead at 87". France24.com. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  3. 1 2 Burke, Jason (3 August 2008). "'Anti-Semitic' satire divides liberal Paris". The Guardian. London, UK.
  4. ↑ Jason Burke (3 August 2008). "'Anti-semitic' satire divides liberal Paris". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
  5. ↑ "Le Tribunal de Grande Instance donne raison à Siné contre Charlie Hebdo", ActuaBD.com, 11 December 2010.
  6. ↑ "Hätsk fransk debatt om antisemitism," Sveriges Television, 13 August 2008.
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