Biography

Gilbert Tanugi was born in 1929 in Tunis where his parents ran a family business selling agricultural machinery. He used to say that they had introduced monoculture to Tunisia. After graduating with both a law degree and a diploma from IDHEC (Institut des Hautes Etudes Cinematographiques) in Paris, he returned to Tunisia in 1953 to begin a career in journalism. At the same time, he became head of the tourist advertising board and directed many documentary films. Back in Paris in 1960, he directed news bulletins on French television. Finding the job tedious, however, he returned to advertising where from creative director and copywriter, he gravitated towards the area of public relations. He then opened an events promotion and public relations agency, which not only launched the careers of many artists but also industrial products, from non-woven materials to posters and cardboard furniture. It was around this time that Gilbert Tanugi began writing psychological thrillers and in 1970, for his third novel 'Le Canal Rouge', he won the most important award for this genre 'Le Grand Prix de Litterature Policiere' While his 32 thrillers form the main body of his work, Gilbert Tanugi also wrote other books, including a study on Tunisia published by Arthaud, which won the prestigious 'Grand Prix de l'Academie Française' as well as screenplays and dialogues.
- IMDb mini biography by: Isabelle Cohen Tanugi