Emmanuelle Riva, who at age 84 gave one of the cinema’s saddest and most searing performances about facing the end of one’s life in Michael Haneke‘s Amour (’12) and who also delivered, at age 32 or 33, one of the most enduringly erotic currents in film history in Alain Resnais‘ Hiroshima mon amour (’60), has passed on, a little more than three weeks shy of her 90th birthday. Respect, condolences — a truly great actress who almost beat out Jennifer Lawrence for the Best Actress Oscar.

“Amour In The Afternoon,” posted nearly four years ago: “Today I attended a serene and convivial back-yard reception for French Oscar nominees, particularly Amour star Emmanuelle Riva and her director Michael Haneke, at the Beverly Hills residence of Axel Cruau, the Consul General of France. Cannes Film Festival general delegate Thierry Fremaux, Village Voice/L.A. Weekly critic Scott Foundas, Variety‘s Steven Gaydos, Deadline‘s Pete Hammond and MCN’s David Poland were among the guests.

“What happened to the Emmanuelle Riva Best Actress surge? Deadline‘s Pete Hammond, who predicted a Riva win, said he suspects the vote was probably very close and that Jennifer Lawrence might have won by the skin of her teeth….maybe.

Thierry Fremaux, Scott Foundas.

Amour star Emmanuelle Riva.

Amour director Michael Haneke.