【Directors French】

1. François Truffaut

French director François Truffaut began to assiduously go to the movies at age seven. He was also a great reader but not a good pupil. He left school at 14 and started working. In 1947, aged 15, he founded a film club and met André Bazin, a French critic, who became his protector. Bazin helped the ...

Les quatre cents coups *** 1959, Jules et Jim **** 1962, La sirène de Mississipi 1969 ◊ Paris fr

2. Jacques Rivette

Director | La Belle Noiseuse

Although François Truffaut has written that the New Wave began "thanks to Rivette," the films of this masterful French director are not well known. Rivette, like his "Cahiers du Cinéma" colleagues Truffaut, Jean-Luc Godard, Claude Chabrol and Éric Rohmer, did graduate to filmmaking but, like Rohmer...

Histoire de Marie et Julien ◊ Rouen fr

3. Claude Berri

Writer | Jean de Florette

Claude Berri was born on July 1, 1934 in Paris, France. He was a producer and actor, known for Jean de Florette (1986), Germinal (1993) and The Two of Us (1967). He was married to Sylvie Gautrelet and Anne-Marie Rassam. He died on January 12, 2009 in Paris, France.

Ensemble c' est tout 2007, Germinal 1993 © Émile Zola, Manon des Sources 1986, Jean de Florette 1986 © Marcel Pagnol ◊ Paris fr

4. René Clément

Director | Plein soleil

René Clément was one of the leading French directors of the post-World War II era. He directed what are regarded as some of the greatest films of the time, such as The Battle of the Rails (1946), Forbidden Games (1952) and The Day and the Hour (1963). He was later almost forgotten as a director. He...

Paris brûle-t-il? 1966, Plein Soleil *** 1960 © Patricia Highsmith, Jeux Interdits **** 1952 ◊ Bordeaux fr

5. Édouard Molinaro

Writer | The Birdcage

Édouard Molinaro was born on May 13, 1928 in Bordeaux, Gironde, France. He was a director and writer, known for The Birdcage (1996), La Cage aux Folles (1978) and A Mistress for the Summer (1960). He was married to Catherine Molinaro, Marie-Hélène Breillat and Pierrette Carvallo. He died on ...

Baumarchais l' Insolent 1971 ◊ Bordeaux fr

6. Alain Resnais

Director | Hiroshima mon amour

Alain Resnais was born on June 3, 1922 in Vannes, Morbihan, France. He was a director and editor, known for Hiroshima Mon Amour (1959), Same Old Song (1997) and My American Uncle (1980). He was married to Sabine Azéma and Florence Malraux. He died on March 1, 2014 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, ...

Last year at Marienbad **** 1961, Hiroshima mon amour **** 1959 © Marguerite Duras (scenario) ◊ Neuilly-sur-Seine fr

7. Jean Renoir

Writer | La règle du jeu

Son of the famous Impressionist painter Pierre Auguste, he had a happy childhood. Pierre Renoir was his brother, and Claude Renoir was his nephew. After the end of World War I, where he won the Croix de Guerre, he moved from scriptwriting to filmmaking. He married Catherine Hessling, for whom he ...

La Bête Humaine 1938, Nana 1926 © Émile Zola

8. René Clair

Writer | Le silence est d'or

René Clair was born on November 11, 1898 in Paris, France. He was a writer and director, known for Man About Town (1947), Beauties of the Night (1952) and The Grand Maneuver (1955). He was married to Bronia Clair. He died on March 15, 1981 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, France.

Les belles de nuit 1954 ◊ more on this movie, Les grandes manoeuvres 1955

9. Marcel Carné

Director | Le quai des brumes

Marcel Carné, the son of a cabinet maker, entered the movies as the assistant of Jacques Feyder. At the age of 25 he directed his first movie Jenny (1936). Colaborating with the writer Jacques Prévert, the decorator Alexandre Trauner, the musician and composer Maurice Jaubert and the actor Jean ...

Thérèse Raquin 1954 © Émile Zola ◊ Paris fr

10. Jacques Becker

Writer | Le trou

His interest in films was stimulated by a meeting with King Vidor, who offered him employment in the US as actor and assistant director. However, he remained in France and became assistant to Jean Renoir, a friend of the family, during that director's peak period (1932-39). In 1934 he ventured ...

Les amants de Montparnasse (Montparnasse 19) 1958

11. Robert Bresson

Writer | Au hasard Balthazar

Robert Bresson trained as a painter before moving into films as a screenwriter, making a short film (atypically a comedy), Public Affairs (1934) in 1934. After spending more than a year as a German POW during World War II, he made his debut with Angels of Sin (1943) in 1943. His next film, The ...

A man escaped 1956 (A man's yearning to escape from pison)

12. André Cayatte

Writer | Justice est faite

André Cayatte (b.1909 in Carcassonne, Aude, France) was a lawyer turned novelist and journalist, then screenwriter in 1938, after which he became a film director in 1942. He was known in France from the 1940s to the 1970s for uncompromising films examining the complex ethical and political ...

Les amants de Vérona 1949 © William Shakespeare

13. Henri-Georges Clouzot

Writer | Le salaire de la peur

Beginning his film career as a screenwriter, Henri-Georges Clouzot switched over to directing and in 1943 had the distinction of having his film The Raven (1943) banned by both the German forces occupying France and the Free French forces fighting them, but for different reasons. He shot to ...

La Vérité 1960, Manon 1947 ◊ Niort, Deux-Sèvres fr

14. Jacques Tati

Writer | Playtime

The comic genius Jacques Tati was born Taticheff, descended from a noble Russian family. His grandfather, Count Dimitri, had been a general in the Imperial Army and had served as military attaché to the Russian Embassy in Paris. His father, Emmanuel Taticheff, was a well-to-do picture framer who ...

Les Vacances de Monsieur Hullot ◊ Paris fr

15. Roger Vadim

Writer | Barbarella

Roger Vadim was born on January 26, 1928 in Paris, France. He was a writer and director, known for Barbarella (1968), The Game Is Over (1966) and No Sun in Venice (1957). He was married to Marie-Christine Barrault, Catherine Schneider, Jane Fonda, Annette Stroyberg and Brigitte Bardot. He died on ...

Les bijoutiers du clair-de-lune 1958, Et Dieu créa la femme *** 1956 ࿐ more about this movie ◊ Paris fr

16. Jean-Gabriel Albicocco

Director | Le grand Meaulnes

Jean-Gabriel Albicocco was born on February 15, 1936 in Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes, France. He was a director and writer, known for The Wanderer (1967), Rat Trap (1963) and The Girl with the Golden Eyes (1961). He was married to Marie Laforêt. He died on April 9, 2001 in Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro...

Le grand Meaulnes 1967 © Alain Fournier

17. Alain Cavalier

Director | Thérèse

Alain Cavalier was born on September 14, 1931 in Vendôme, Loir-et-Cher, France. He is a director and writer, known for Thérèse (1986), Un étrange voyage (1981) and Libera me (1993).

Thérèse 1986 (The life of Ste Thérèse in the convent)

18. Jean-Luc Godard

Director | Bande à part

Jean-Luc Godard was born in Paris on December 3, 1930, the second of four children in a bourgeois Franco-Swiss family. His father was a doctor who owned a private clinic, and his mother came from a preeminent family of Swiss bankers. During World War II Godard became a naturalized citizen of ...

French Nouvel Vague movement creator ◊ Nouvelle Vague 1990 ◊ Au bout de souffle **** ('60) ◊ A love story of an American girl in Paris who sells newspapers in Champs Elysees (J. Sieberg) and a "careless" naif thief (J.P. Belmondo), Le Mepris ('63) ◊ Life behind movies, as an American rich producer (J. Palance), resident of a villa in Capri runs after a married actress (B. Bardot), Pierrot le fou ('65), Week-end ('67) ◊ Paris fr

19. Louis Malle

Director | Au revoir les enfants

Louis Malle, the descendant of a French nobleman who made a fortune in beet sugar during the Napoleonic Wars, created films that explored life and its meaning. Malle's family discouraged his early interest in film but, in 1950, allowed him to enter the Institute of Advanced Cinematographic Studies ...

Au revoir les enfants **** 1987, Le Feu Follet 1963 Watch an interview (1994) of Louis Malle about this movie ◊ Thumeries fr

20. Claude Chabrol

Director | Le beau Serge

Claude Chabrol was born on June 24, 1930 in Paris, France. He was a director and writer, known for Le Beau Serge (1958), La Cérémonie (1995) and Story of Women (1988). He was married to Aurore Chabrol, Stéphane Audran and Agnès Goute. He died on September 12, 2010 in Paris, France.

Innocents a salles mains 1975, Le beau Serge A film of '50s on devotion, friendship in a poor-living French country-side 1958 ◊ Paris fr

21. Jacques Deray

Director | On ne meurt que deux fois

Jacques Deray was born on February 19, 1929 in Lyon, Rhône, France. He was a director and writer, known for He Died with His Eyes Open (1985), A Bigger Splash (2015) and Borsalino (1970). He was married to Agnès Vincent-Deray and Nicole Jones. He died on August 9, 2003 in Boulogne-Billancourt, ...

Borsalino 1970

22. Éric Rohmer

Director | Ma nuit chez Maud

Admirers have always had difficulty explaining Éric Rohmer's "Je ne sais quoi." Part of the challenge stems from the fact that, despite his place in French Nouvelle Vague (i.e., New Wave), his work is unlike that of his colleagues. While this may be due to the auteur's unwillingness to conform, ...

Le Genou de Claire 1970 La sonate de Kreutzer 1958 ◊ (1920-2010) ◊ Tulle, Corrèze fr

23. Jean-Jacques Annaud

Director | Der Name der Rose

Jean-Jacques Annaud is a French film director, screenwriter and producer, best known for directing Quest for Fire (1981), The Name of the Rose (1986), The Lover (1992), Seven Years in Tibet (1997) and Wolf Totem (2015). Annaud has received numerous awards for his work, including four César Awards, ...

"7 years in Tibet *** 1997 ◊ Draveil, Essonne fr

24. Olivier Assayas

Writer | Personal Shopper

Olivier Assayas is a French film director, screenwriter and film critic. He is best know for his films Demonlover (2002), Something in the Air (2012), Clouds of Sils Maria (2014) and Personal Shopper (2016).

Assayas is the son of French director/screenwriter Raymond Assayas, alias Jacques Rémy.

His ...

Paris je t'aime

25. Claude Sautet

Writer | Un coeur en hiver

Claude Sautet was born on February 23, 1924 in Montrouge, Seine [now Hauts-de-Seine], France. He was a writer and director, known for A Heart in Winter (1992), Nelly & Monsieur Arnaud (1995) and The Things of Life (1970). He was married to Graziella Sautet. He died on July 22, 2000 in Paris, ...

Les Choses de la Vie 1970, Classe tous risques 1960

26. Yves Allégret

Director | Les orgueilleux

Yves Allégret was born on October 13, 1905 in Asnières-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, France. He was a director and writer, known for The Proud and the Beautiful (1953), La meilleure part (1955) and Dédée d'Anvers (1948). He was married to Michèle Cordoue, Simone Signoret and Renée ...

La fille de Hambourg 1956, Les orgueilleux 1952

27. Marc Allégret

Director | Entrée des artistes

Marc Allégret was born on December 22, 1900 in Basel, Switzerland. He was a director and writer, known for The Curtain Rises (1938), Avec André Gide (1951) and Julietta (1953). He was married to Nadine Vogel. He died on November 3, 1973 in Paris, France.

28. Jacques Demy

Soundtrack | Les parapluies de Cherbourg

Jacques Demy was born on June 5, 1931 in Pontchâteau, Loire-Atlantique, France. He was a director and writer, known for The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964), The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967) and A Room in Town (1982). He was married to Agnès Varda. He died on October 27, 1990 in Paris, France.

Les Parapluits de Cherbourg **** 1964, Les Demoiselles de Rochefort 1967, Lola 1961 (1931 - 1990)

29. Francis Veber

Writer | Le dîner de cons

Francis Veber was born on July 28, 1937 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, Île-de-France, France. He is a writer and director, known for Le Dîner de Cons (1998), The Birdcage (1996) and Ruby & Quentin (2003). He has been married to Françoise Veber since January 11, 1964. They have two ...

La Doublure 2006, Dîner de cons 1998

30. Bruno Nuytten

Cinematographer | Jean de Florette

Bruno Nuytten is one of the most successful French cinematographers notable for his many collaborations with outstanding filmmakers. He was twice awarded the César for Best Cinematography: Barocco (1976) and So Long, Stooge (1983). Later he started to direct and is best known for his masterpiece ...

"Camille Claudel" 1988 © Reine-Marie Paris

31. Jean-Pierre Melville

Writer | Le Samouraï

The name "Melville" is not immediately associated with film. It conjures up images of white whales and crackbrained captains, of naysaying notaries and soup-spilling sailors. It is the countersign to a realm of men and their deeds, both heroic and villainous. It is the American novel, with its ...

Un Flic 1972, Le Circle Rouge 1970

32. José Giovanni

Writer | Mon père, il m'a sauvé la vie

Joseph Damiani, a.k.a José Giovanni, was born on June 22th, 1923, to a Corsican family. He did many little jobs when he was a teenager. Washing dishes in a train-restaurant, lumberjack, coal miner, waiter in a hotel restaurant of Chamonix. He was arrested for fraud and condemned to one year in jail...

Deux hommes dans la ville 1973 see related video, Les égouts du Paradis

33. Louis Daquin

Director | Le point du jour

Louis Daquin was born on May 20, 1908 in Calais, Pas-de-Calais, France. He was a director and actor, known for Le point du jour (1949), Les frères Bouquinquant (1947) and The Thistles of the Baragan (1957). He died on October 2, 1980 in Paris, France.

Bel Ami 1954 © Guy de Maupassant

34. Leos Carax

Director | Holy Motors

Leos Carax made several short films and also wrote film criticism, then at the age of 24 years made a very strong first feature Boy Meets Girl (1984). The film played at the 1984 Cannes film festival and was a critical triumph. It paved the way for Carax's second feature Bad Blood (1986) (Bad Blood...

Mauvais Sang 1988

35. Claude Lelouch

Director | Un homme et une femme

He started off by making short films for television on which he was producer,screenwriter and cameraman. This was interrupted by military service in the army but only partly as he was put into the army film unit where he made over 100 films. Demobbed in 1960 he used family money for his first ...

Un et Une *** 2015, Un homme et une femme 1966

36. Denis Dercourt

Director | Lise et André

Denis Dercourt was born on October 1, 1964 in Paris, France. He is a director and writer, known for Lise et André (2000), The Page Turner (2006) and A Pact (2013).

37. Agnès Jaoui

Actress | Le goût des autres

Agnès Jaoui was born on October 19, 1964 in Antony, Hauts-de-Seine, France. She is an actress and writer, known for The Taste of Others (2000), Look at Me (2004) and Family Resemblances (1996). She was previously married to Jean-Pierre Bacri.

38. Luc Besson

Writer | Le Cinquième Élément

Luc Besson spent the first years of his life following his parents, scuba diving instructors, around the world. His early life was entirely aquatic. He already showed amazing creativity as a youth, writing early drafts of The Big Blue (1988) and The Fifth Element (1997), as an adolescent bored in ...

The Lady 2011, Subway

39. Frédéric Auburtin

Director | Paris, je t'aime

Frédéric Auburtin was born on June 4, 1962 in Marseille, France. He is a director and assistant director, known for Paris, I Love You (2006), The Man in the Iron Mask (1998) and Jean de Florette (1986).

Paris je t' aime (Segment "Quartier Latin") 2008

40. Olivier Megaton

Director | Transporter 3

Olivier Megaton was born on August 6, 1965 in Versailles, Seine-et-Oise [now Yvelines], France. He is a director and writer, known for Transporter 3 (2008), Taken 3 (2014) and Colombiana (2011).

Colombiana 2008

41. Bertrand Blier

Writer | Le bruit des glaçons

Bertrand Blier was born on March 14, 1939 in Boulogne-Billancourt, Seine [now Hauts-de-Seine], France. He is a writer and director, known for The Clink of Ice (2010), Too Beautiful for You (1989) and 1, 2, 3, Freeze (1993).

Le bruit des glaçons 2010

42. Gustave Kervern

Actor | Effacer l'historique

Gustave Kervern was born on December 27, 1962 in Mauritius. He is an actor and writer, known for Delete History (2020), Louise hires a contract killer (2008) and Aaltra (2004).

Mammuth 2010, Aaltra 2004

43. Guy Casaril

Director | L'astragale

Guy Casaril was born on November 1, 1933 in Miramont-de-Guyenne, Lot-et-Garonne, France. He was a director and writer, known for Astragal (1968), Le rempart des Béguines (1972) and Les novices (1970). He died on May 3, 1996 in Chapel Hill, Queensland, Australia.

Les Novices 1970, L' Astragale, 1970

44. Christophe Barratier

Writer | Les choristes

Christophe Barratier was born on June 17, 1963 in Asnières-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, France. He is a writer and producer, known for The Chorus (2004), Faubourg 36 (2008) and Team Spirit (2016).

Les Choristes 2004

45. Jean-Pierre Jeunet

Director | Un long dimanche de fiançailles

Jean-Pierre Jeunet is a self-taught director who was very quickly interested by cinema, with a predilection for a fantastic cinema where form is as important as the subject. Thus he started directing TV commercials and video clips (such as Julien Clerc in 1984). At the same time he met designer/...

Une longue Dimanche des fiançailles ◊ Roanne, Rhône-Alpes fr

46. Fabienne Berthaud

Writer | Pieds nus sur les limaces

Fabienne Berthaud is known for Pieds nus sur les limaces (2010), Sky (2015) and A Bigger World (2019).

Tom 2022, Pieds nus sur les limaces (Lily something) 2010

47. Cédric Klapisch

Director | L'auberge espagnole

Cédric Klapisch was born on September 4, 1961 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, France. He is a director and actor, known for The Spanish Apartment (2002), Rise (2022) and Family Resemblances (1996). He has been married to Lola Doillon since 2002. They have one child.

Un air de famille 1996 ◊ Neuilly-sur-Seine fr

48. Patrice Leconte

Director | Ridicule

Patrice Leconte was born on November 12, 1947 in Paris, France. He is a director and writer, known for Ridicule (1996), La fille sur le pont (1999) and Man on the Train (2002).

Confidences Intimes, La fille du pont 1969 ◊ Paris fr

49. Gabriel Aghion

Director | Pédale douce

Gabriel Aghion was born on December 30, 1955 in Alexandria, Egypt. He is a director and writer, known for Pédale douce (1996), Avocat d'office (1994) and La scarlatine (1983).

Belle Maman 1999 ◊ Alexandria eg

50. Costa-Gavras

Director | Z

Costa-Gavras was born on February 12, 1933 in Loutra-Iraias, Greece. He is a director and writer, known for Z (1969), Missing (1982) and Amen. (2002). He has been married to Michèle Ray-Gavras since 1968. They have two children.

Adults in the room 2019, Le Couperet 2004, "Z", Etat de siège 1971, Missing, Music Box ◊ Loutra-Iraias gr

51. Christophe Honoré

Writer | Plaire, aimer et courir vite

Christophe Honoré was born on April 10, 1970 in Carhaix-Plouguer, Finistère, France. He is a writer and director, known for Sorry Angel (2018), Love Songs (2007) and The Beautiful Person (2008).

Les chansons d' amour 2007, Les Biens-Aimés

52. Jacques Audiard

Writer | De rouille et d'os

Born in Paris, France, in 1952. Jacques Audiard's family has always been involved in movie business. His father, Michel, was a popular screenwriter and director and his uncle a producer. But in his teens he refused that world and wanted to be a teacher. He studied literature and philosophy at the ...

Rust and Bone 2012 ◊ Paris fr

53. Philippe Le Guay

Writer | Alceste à bicyclette

Philippe Le Guay was born on October 22, 1956 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, France. He is a writer and director, known for Bicycling with Molière (2013), The Women on the 6th Floor (2010) and Le clou (1984).

Les femmes du 6ème étage *** 2010

54. Frédéric Beigbeder

Writer | L'idéal

Frédéric Beigbeder was born on September 21, 1965 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, France. He is an actor and writer, known for The Ideal (2016), The Day All Women Loved Me (2006) and Love Lasts Three Years (2011). He has been married to Lara Micheli since April 12, 2014. They have two ...

L' amour dure trois ans 2011

55. Olivier Nakache

Writer | Intouchables

Olivier Nakache was born on April 15, 1973 in Suresnes, Hauts-de-Seine, France. He is a writer and producer, known for The Intouchables (2011), The Specials (2019) and C'est la vie! (2017).

Intouchables 2011

56. François Ozon

Director | Dans la maison

François Ozon was born on November 15, 1967 in Paris, France. He is a director and writer, known for In the House (2012), 8 Women (2002) and Swimming Pool (2003).

Frantz 2012 (starring Pierre Niney, Paula Beer), Potiche, Dans la Maison 2012, Swimming Pool 2003, 8 Femmes 2002 ◊ Paris fr

57. Bertrand Tavernier

Director | Un dimanche à la campagne

Bertrand Tavernier was the son of Geneviève (Dumond) and René Tavernier, who was a publicist, writer, and president of the French PEN club. He was a law student that preferred write film criticisms. He also wrote a few books about American movies. Then his first film won a few awards in France and ...

Quai d'Orsay 2014, Death-watch 1980

58. Robert Guédiguian

Producer | Marius et Jeannette

Robert Guédiguian was born on December 3, 1953 in Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, France. He is a producer and writer, known for Marius and Jeannette (1997), The Snows of Kilimanjaro (2011) and La ville est tranquille (2000). He has been married to Ariane Ascaride since 1975.

Les neiges du Kilimandjaro 2011

59. Grégoire Leprince-Ringuet

Actor | La forêt de quinconces

Grégoire Leprince-Ringuet was born on December 4, 1987 in Paris, France. He is an actor and director, known for Fool Moon (2016), Love Songs (2007) and The Princess of Montpensier (2010).

La foret de Quinconces

60. Régis Wargnier

Writer | Est - Ouest

Régis Wargnier was born on April 18, 1948 in Metz, Moselle, France. He is a writer and director, known for East/West (1999), Indochine (1992) and La femme de ma vie (1986).

La ligne droite

61. Guillaume Canet

Actor | Jeux d'enfants

Son of horse breeders, the young man spent his childhood in the countryside near Paris. In his youth, Guillaume wanted to be a horse-rider, and briefly followed a professional career in the sport. A bad fall broke his dreams, but is at the origin of his acting career, and success. After briefly ...

Petits mouchoirs 2014

62. Patrice Chéreau

Director | Intimacy

Patrice Chéreau was born on November 2, 1944 in Lézigné, Maine-et-Loire, France. He was a director and actor, known for Intimacy (2001), The Last of the Mohicans (1992) and Queen Margot (1994). He died on October 7, 2013 in Clichy, Hauts-de-Seine, France.

Homme Blessé 2004

63. Maurice Pialat

Director | À nos amours

Maurice Pialat was a French film director. Film critics have noted the naturalist style of his films, and their autobiographical elements.

Pialat obtained his first camera when only 16-years-old, but his early career involved creating documentary short films. His ambition was to become a painter and...

La Geule Ouverte, Nous ne vieillirons pas ensemble, Van Gogh 1993 (The last 70 days of the French painter)

64. Xavier Beauvois

Writer | Des hommes et des dieux

Xavier Beauvois was born on March 20, 1967 in Auchel, Pas-de-Calais, France. He is an actor and writer, known for Of Gods and Men (2010), North (1991) and Don't Forget You're Going to Die (1995).

Les Guardiennes 2017, Des hommes et des Dieux

65. Michel Béna

Director | Le ciel de Paris

Michel Béna was born on February 5, 1950 in Algeria. He was an assistant director and director, known for Le ciel de Paris (1991), Viva la vie (1984) and Daniel endormi (1988). He died on July 10, 1991 in Paris, France.

Le ciel de Paris

66. Jean-Charles Tacchella

Writer | Cousin cousine

Jean-Charles Tacchella was born on September 23, 1925 in Cherbourg, Manche, Haute-Normandie, France. He is a writer and director, known for Cousin, Cousine (1975), Silver Anniversary (1979) and Travelling avant (1987). He has been married to Ginette Tacchella since December 27, 1969.

Cousin Cousine

67. Pascal Chaumeil

Director | L'arnacoeur

Pascal Chaumeil was born on February 9, 1961 in Paris, France. He was a director and assistant director, known for Heartbreaker (2010), The Fifth Element (1997) and Léon: The Professional (1994). He was married to Camille Lipmann. He died on August 27, 2015 in Paris, France.

L' arnacoeur 2015

68. Julie Delpy

Actress | Trois couleurs: Blanc

Julie Delpy was born in Paris, France, in 1969 to Albert Delpy and Marie Pillet, both actors.

She was first featured in Jean-Luc Godard's Detective (1985) at the age of fourteen. She has starred in many American and European productions since then, including Disney's The Three Musketeers (1993), ...

Lolo (Οιδιπόδειο Σύμπλεγμα) 2015

69. Jules Dassin

Director | Du rififi chez les hommes

Jules Dassin was an Academy Award-nominated director, screenwriter and actor best known for his films Rififi (1955), Never on Sunday (1960), and Topkapi (1964).

He was born Julius Samuel Dassin on 18 December 1911, in Middletown, Connecticut, USA. He was one of eight children of Russian-Jewish ...

Phedra 1962, Never on Sunday 1960

70. Josiane Balasko

Actress | Gazon maudit

Josiane Balasko was born on April 15, 1950 in Paris, France. She is an actress and writer, known for French Twist (1995), The Tenant (1976) and The Hedgehog (2009). She has been married to George Aguilar since June 12, 2003. She was previously married to Philippe Berry.

Gazon Maudit, Cliente ** 2008

71. Eric Barbier

Writer | La promesse de l'aube

Eric Barbier was born on June 29, 1960 in Aix-en-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône, France. He is a writer and director, known for Promise at Dawn (2017), Small Country: An African Childhood (2020) and Le brasier (1991).

72. Franck Dubosc

Actor | Tout le monde debout

Franck Dubosc was born on November 7, 1963 in Le Petit-Quevilly, Seine-Maritime, France. He is an actor and writer, known for Rolling to You (2018), Camping (2006) and Asterix at the Olympic Games (2008). He has been married to Danièle since June 19, 2009. They have one child.

Tout le monde débout 2015

73. Philippe Garrel

Writer | Les amants réguliers

Philippe Garrel was born on April 6, 1948 in Paris, France. He is a writer and director, known for Regular Lovers (2005), I Can No Longer Hear the Guitar (1991) and Liberté, la nuit (1984).

Love for a day 2017, Les amants réguliers 2005

74. Jean-Paul Rappeneau

Writer | Cyrano de Bergerac

Jean-Paul Rappeneau was born on April 8, 1932 in Auxerre, Yonne, France. He is a writer and director, known for Cyrano de Bergerac (1990), A Matter of Resistance (1966) and Bon Voyage (2003).

Le Sauvage 1975

75. Agnès Varda

Director | Cléo de 5 à 7

Agnès Varda was born on May 30, 1928 in Ixelles, Belgium. She was a director and writer, known for Cléo from 5 to 7 (1962), Vagabond (1985) and Faces Places (2017). She was married to Jacques Demy. She died on March 29, 2019 in Paris, France.

Le bonheur 1965 BE

76. Nadine Trintignant

Director | Mon amour Mon amour

Nadine Trintignant was born on November 11, 1934 in Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France. She is a director and writer, known for Mon amour Mon amour (1967), Rififi (1955) and Crime Thief (1969). She was previously married to Alain Corneau and Jean-Louis Trintignant.

Ça n' arrive qu' autres 1971 ◊ Nice, Alpes-Maritimes fr

77. Gilles Mimouni

Writer | Wicker Park

Gilles Mimouni was born in 1956. He is a writer and director, known for Wicker Park (2004), The Apartment (1996) and Bandits (2011).

L' Appartement **** 1986 (Vincent Cassel as Max Mayer, Monica Bellucci as Lisa)

78. Georges Lautner

Director | Le professionnel

Georges Lautner was born on January 24, 1926 in Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France. He was a director and writer, known for The Professional (1981), Crooks in Clover (1963) and Galia (1966). He was married to Caroline Lautner. He died on November 22, 2013 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, France.

Galia 1966

79. Jacques Rivette

Director | La Belle Noiseuse

Although François Truffaut has written that the New Wave began "thanks to Rivette," the films of this masterful French director are not well known. Rivette, like his "Cahiers du Cinéma" colleagues Truffaut, Jean-Luc Godard, Claude Chabrol and Éric Rohmer, did graduate to filmmaking but, like Rohmer...

Histoire de Julien et Marie 2003, Paris nous appartient 1961

80. Abdellatif Kechiche

Writer | La vie d'Adèle

Abdellatif Kechiche was born on December 7, 1960 in Tunis, Tunisia. He is a writer and director, known for Blue Is the Warmest Colour (2013), Games of Love and Chance (2003) and Poetical Refugee (2000).

Mektoub, my love Intermezzo 2019, Mektoub my love 2017, Adèle 2013 born TN, lives FR

81. Gilles Legrand

Producer | Micmacs à tire-larigot

Gilles Legrand was born on October 16, 1958 in Paris, France. He is an assistant director and producer, known for Micmacs (2009), Ridicule (1996) and Widow of St. Pierre (2000).

Tu seras mon fils 2012

82. Yves Angelo

Director | Le colonel Chabert

Yves Angelo was born on January 22, 1956 in Meknès, Morocco. He is a cinematographer and director, known for Colonel Chabert (1994), Sur le bout des doigts (2002) and Stolen Life (1998).

Le colonel Chabert 1999

83. Claude Goretta

Director | L'invitation

Claude Goretta was born on June 23, 1929 in Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. He was a director and writer, known for The Invitation (1973), The Lacemaker (1977) and La provinciale (1980). He died on February 20, 2019 in Geneva, Canton de Genève, Switzerland.

La provinciale 1980, La Dentelliere 1977 Genève CH (1929-2019)

84. Jean Becker

Director | La tête en friche

Jean Becker was born on May 10, 1933 in Paris, France. He is a director and writer, known for My Afternoons with Margueritte (2010), Dialogue avec mon jardinier (2007) and The Children of the Marshland (1999).

La tête en friche *** 2010

85. Daniel Auteuil

Actor | Caché

Daniel Auteuil was born on January 24, 1950 in Algiers, Alger, France [now Algeria]. He is an actor and director, known for Caché (2005), Jean de Florette (1986) and The Well-Digger's Daughter (2011). He has been married to Aude Ambroggi since July 22, 2006. They have one child. He was ...

Amoureux de ma femme *** 2018

86. Olivier Marchal

Actor | 36 Quai des Orfèvres

Olivier Marchal started taking acting lessons when he still was a police officer. He began his career in television, appearing in supporting parts or writing scripts for detective TV series. In 1989 when Yves Rénier resurrected his TV series Commissaire Moulin (1976) he became his partner as ...

Carbone

87. Henri Verneuil

Director | I... comme Icare

Henri Verneuil was born on October 15, 1920 in Rodosto, Ottoman Empire [now Tekirdag, Turkey]. He was a director and writer, known for I... For Icarus (1979), The Sheep Has Five Legs (1954) and Mother (1991). He was married to Françoise Bonnot and Véronique Sedro. He died on January 11, 2002 in ...

Mayrig 1991

88. Frank Dobrin

Director | The Winner 3D

Frank Dobrin is known for The Winner 3D (2013) and Saving My Pig (2018).

Saving my pig 2016

89. Édouard Molinaro

Writer | The Birdcage

Édouard Molinaro was born on May 13, 1928 in Bordeaux, Gironde, France. He was a director and writer, known for The Birdcage (1996), La Cage aux Folles (1978) and A Mistress for the Summer (1960). He was married to Catherine Molinaro, Marie-Hélène Breillat and Pierrette Carvallo. He died on ...

90. Georges Franju

Director | Les yeux sans visage

Georges Franju is a figure of immense importance in the history of French cinema, not primarily for his films (exceptional though many of these are) but for being the co-founder, with Henri Langlois, of the Cinematheque Française in 1937--France's most famous and important film archive.

He worked ...

91. Jean Vigo

Writer | Zéro de conduite: Jeunes diables au collège

Jean Vigo had bad health since he was a child. Son of anarchist militant Miguel Almareyda, he also never really recovered from his father's mysterious death in jail when he was 12. Abandoned by his mother, he passed from boarding school to boarding school. Aged 23, through meetings with people ...

92. Abel Gance

Writer | La roue

Born an illegitimate son of a wealthy physician, Abel Flamant, and a working class mother, Francoise Perethon. He was raised by his mother and her boyfriend, who later became her husband, Adolphe Gance. Pressured by his parents, he began his working career as a lawyer's clerk in hopes of achieving ...

93. Julien Duvivier

Writer | Panique

Revered by such legendary fellow directors as Ingmar Bergman and Jean Renoir, Julien Duvivier is one of the most legendary figures in the history of French cinema. He is perhaps the most neglected of the "Big Five" of classic French cinema (the other four being Jean Renoir, Rene Clair, Jacques ...

94. Claude Autant-Lara

Director | Le diable au corps

Claude Autant-Lara was born on August 5, 1901 in Luzarches, Val-d'Oise, France. He was a director and writer, known for Devil in the Flesh (1947), The Crossing of Paris (1956) and The Red and the Black (1954). He was married to Ghislaine Autant-Lara. He died on February 5, 2000 in Antibes, ...

95. Roger Planchon

Actor | Lautrec

Roger Planchon was born on September 12, 1931 in Saint-Chamond, Loire, France. He was an actor and director, known for Lautrec (1998), Danton (1983) and Louis: The Child King (1993). He died on May 12, 2009 in Paris, France.

96. Olivier Dahan

Director | La Môme

Olivier Dahan was born on June 26, 1967 in La Ciotat, Bouches-du-Rhône, France. He is a director and writer, known for La Vie En Rose (2007), La vie promise (2002) and Sold.

97. Philippe Claudel

Writer | Il y a longtemps que je t'aime

Philippe Claudel was born on February 2, 1962 in Dombasle-sur-Meurthe, Meurthe-et-Moselle, France. He is a writer and director, known for I've Loved You So Long (2008), A Childhood (2015) and Avant l'hiver (2013).

98. Michel Leclerc

Writer | Le nom des gens

Michel Leclerc was born on April 24, 1965 in Bures-sur-Yvette, Essonne, France. He is a writer and director, known for The Names of Love (2010), Fais pas ci, fais pas ça (2007) and Le poteau rose (2002).

99. Pierre Salvadori

Writer | En liberté!

Born on November 8, 1964 in Tunisia, Pierre Salvadori studied literature and cinema at the Censier site of the New Sorbonne University of Paris. He also followed a training in drama. He wrote his first screenplay in 1989 which, four years later, became the basis of Wild Target (1993), his first ...

100. Claude Miller

Writer | Garde à vue

Claude Miller was born on February 20, 1942 in Paris, France. He was a writer and director, known for The Grilling (1981), L'effrontée (1985) and The Little Thief (1988). He was married to Annie Miller. He died on April 4, 2012 in Paris, France.

L' Accompagnatrice 1992, La Petite Voleuse 1988