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Catholic priest.
Composer, Conductor.
Secretary general of the “Fondazione Beato Angelico”.
Member of the "Société des Gens de Lettres de France.
Former United Nations staff member, UNICEF "Special Events Officer", Geneva Office.
Assistant of the Cardinal Agostino Casaroli (1991-1995).


Of French Nationality, born in Salon de Provence in April 1946, resides in Italy since 1975. Composer and director, has a degree in classical guitar, plays the piano and electronic keyboard. Author of numerous classical and modern compositions, since 1966 he recorded 28 records (classical music, music for films, disco and pop music).

He is the author of the official “UNICEF Hymn”, created in Rome in April 1984 (orchestra and choir from RAI) during a live Eurovision broadcast . Paul Mc Cartney has recorded a CD of the "Ode to the child" and the "UNICEF Hymn". He recorded arrangements and composed for singers in France, Italy, Holland, Germany, England (1973-1988). Composed music for films “La Bible” by Marcel Carné, “Servante et Maîtresse” by Bruno Gantillon, “Padre Pio: The night of the Prophet” and for documentary films.

Some of his compositions of classical music: An oratorio “La creation des Anges” for soloists, mixed choir, male’s choir and orchestra, Madrid (1975), Rome RAIUNO (1984); Symphony Jerusalem, Paris, (1972) performed by the orchestra of Salle Pleyel; Concerto for violoncello and orchestra (Geneva); “Salve Regina” for choir and strings, Rome (1994).

From 1983 to 1988 he served as “Special Events Officer” for UNICEF in Geneva and organized many television programmes in Europe, Japan with the participation of Peter Ustinov, Audrey Hepburn and others. In 1986 he created the “World Philharmonic Orchestra” with Marc Verriere, the orchestra is comprised of soloists from 120 orchestras from 60 countries. (concerts in Tokyo, Oslo for the Nobel Prize, Rio de Janeiro, Montreal).

He realized and produced the film “Padre Pio: The night of the Prophet” (fiction with Sergio Fiorentini in the role of Padre Pio). The film was broadcast by RAIUNO on 27 April and 25 May 1999).

In 1988, he ended his activities for the United Nations and his artistic activities to devote himself to theological studies in Rome. He is ordained priest on 26 October 1991. From 1991 to 1994 he is assistant to Cardinal Agostino Casaroli, (Secretary of State to the Vatican) and accompanies the Cardinal on his missions in Europe and throughout the world. In 1992 he is appointed Secretary General of the Foundation Beato Angelico.

He is presently recording in his recording studio (Italy) pop music songs dedicated to the situation in Iraq and themes for peace. For the recording of this CD album he plays all instrumental parts and works on a computer (for the 10 pieces). He sings the songs in Italian. For 2 songs he produced a video clip: “Per quanto tempo ancora” and “Mr. President”. Other titles of the CD are: “La nave sfonda”, “Democrazia Export” and “Baghdad Café”.

From 1998 until now he devotes his activities and important work to denounce the effects of the embargo on the Iraqi population and of the contamination of Depleted Uranium. (books, films, conferences, interventions at the United Nations).

He published 7 books in Italy, France and Switzerland.

In 1993 he presented a play, written by him, on St Francis of Assisi at the Soviet Theater in Moscow, interpreted in Russian and broadcast on the national television.



The film by Jean-Marie Benjamin “IRAQ RADIOACTIVITY”, was selected by “RENCONTRES INTERNATIONALES DU CINEMA VERITE” 10-14 October 2007.
The festival will take place in Paris and to the Principality of Monaco.
The documentary by father Benjamin will be shown in Paris on Saturday 13 October at 6.30 pm.

The programme of the festival in pdf


Information about the film


Poster of the film



THE NEW ALBUM OF JEAN-MARIE BENJAMIN
INCROCIO
(sang in Italian)

Ten songs composed and sang (in Italian) against the war and the occupation in Iraq.
After having dedicated several years to denounce the effects of the embargo and the radioactive contamination of the Iraqi population due to the use of arms with depleted uranium (3 books published and 3 documentary films produced), Benjamin persists and continues his campaign against the “Lords of lies” and “Democracy export” of the neo-colonialists in Washington, against disinformation, manipulation of consciences and the delusion of the public opinion worldwide.