Monique Pantel

Monique Pantel (December 11, 1932 – April 7, 2021) was a prominent French film critic and journalist whose career spanned several decades, primarily contributing to major media outlets such as RTL, France Inter, and Europe 1.

Originally hailing from a family of hoteliers, Pantel ventured from Mont-de-Marsan to England where she began her career as a hotel receptionist before moving to Paris. It was in the French capital that she met playwright Jacques Audiberti, who not only became her partner for the last three years of her life but also introduced her to the world of journalism. In July 1964, Pantel began writing for the entertainment section of Paris-Presse, and she later transitioned to France-Soir following their merger, where her charismatic and candid writing earned her the playful nickname "Panpan." Throughout her career, she conducted interviews with a host of American movie stars, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Richard Gere, and Shirley MacLaine.

In 1994, Pantel published her first book, and her engaging personality quickly garnered attention, leading to her participation in Laurent Ruquier's radio shows. From 1997 onward, she provided lively commentary on film releases, a role she maintained until 2014. Her 1999 publication, "Panpan fait son cinoche," chronicled her experiences and anecdotes from the film industry.

After her passing in Paris at the age of 88, she was fondly remembered on social media by figures such as Laurent Ruquier and Gilles Jacob, the former president of the Cannes Film Festival, highlighting her influence on French cinema and media.