Josef von Sternberg born Jonas Sternberg 29 May 1894 22 December 1969 was an Austrianborn film director and is among the few whose career successfully spanned the transition from the silent to the sound era He is considered one of the earliest auteur filmmakers having filled many other roles on his films including those of cinematographer screenwriter and editor Sternbergs style influenced later directors particularly those of the film noir period He is particularly noted for his distinctive mise en scène use of lighting and soft lens and collaboration with actress Marlene Dietrich Among his most important works are The Blue Angel 1930 Morocco 1930 Shanghai Express 1932 and The Scarlet Empress 1934 Andrew Sarris in his influential book of film criticism The American Cinema Directors and Directions 19291968 included him in the pantheon of the 14 greatest film directors who had worked in the United States
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