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Jacques Audiard, he was born in 1952, exactly on April 30th in Paris. Frankly, with his heritage, son of Michel Audiard, the great screenwriter, one might have thought he would follow an obvious path, but no, he first wanted to be a teacher. At 1.74 m, he also has a discreet but imposing stature in French cinema.
Before launching into directing, you know what? He started as an assistant director with big names like Roman Polanski. Not nothing. Then he wrote scripts, like for “Le Professionnel” or “Mortelle randonnée” — cult films, can you imagine? He’s a cinema guy, but not a pure direct family product; he really earned his way.
His first film, “Regarde les hommes tomber” in 1994, was a shock. At 42, he threw himself into it with a style of his own, not a crime thriller but a noir film. The reception? Selected at the Critics’ Week in Cannes, right away. You feel in this film his fascination for men, their weaknesses… and it won’t stop there.
Since then, it’s been a succession of gems, with awards piling up. “Un prophète”, “De rouille et d’os”, “Dheepan”… each of his films is like a punch in the stomach, but also a caress on the soul. Audiard is that director who cannot help but explore human complexity, almost obsessively.
Who is Jacques Audiard, this master of French cinema?
So, Jacques Audiard is not just a famous name in Paris, he’s a passionate man who has always mixed writing and directing. He grew up in the world of cinema, yes, but his true passion was born from meetings and experiences, far from the family comfort. Pretty classy, isn’t it?
Son of Michel Audiard, he could have settled for being “the son of.” But he had other ambitions, at his own pace. Teacher, screenwriter, then director, although he will be 72 in 2025, he has kept this impressive drive, this sharp view of the world. Between Paris and his sets, he composes stories that touch.
His private life is more discreet, no scandal in sight, but a man deeply committed to his art. Married, father, he protects his privacy like a treasure hunt. What you know about him here is mostly his love of cinema, not just the technique, but this total immersion into characters.
What’s also surprising is his boldness: in 2024, with “Emilia Pérez,” he tries his hand at the musical comedy while keeping his harsh and human universe. Risky bet? Yes. Successful bet? Clearly. This film won two awards at Cannes and already dominates the Oscars 2025 nominations, notably thanks to the performances of Zoe Saldaña and Karla Sofía Gascón.
The atypical journey of Jacques Audiard, from screenwriter to star director
You have to keep in mind one thing, Jacques Audiard took time before daring to go behind the camera. After signing scripts that became cult classics in the ’80s, he started late, not before his 40s. But then, he gave it his all.
His first film, “Regarde les hommes tomber,” is already a slap. A dark mix, a dive into the loneliness and violence of male characters. He even talked about betraying the script, a pretty crazy thing for a screenwriter, but that’s what makes his style: letting go, letting actors appropriate the text.
That’s probably what explains his growing success; his actors love working with him. Jean-Louis Trintignant, Vincent Cassel, Marion Cotillard, Tahar Rahim, the guy has a gift for revealing talents. And on the awards front, he holds the record for the César with an impressive number of distinctions that place him at the pinnacle of French cinema.
And then, his films don’t look alike. From dark drama to social road movie, passing through melodrama with “De rouille et d’os,” each work is a surprise. In 2015, “Dheepan” earned him the Palme d’Or at Cannes, one of the greatest awards in the world. Not bad, huh?
Jacques Audiard’s major hits, cinema that leaves a mark
What I like about Audiard is this ability to dig into reality, to reveal the soul of his characters. You probably heard about “Un prophète” in 2009. Malik, a young prisoner, evolving in a brutal universe. This film is a monument. And Tahar Rahim, a total revelation, we weren’t even talking about him before!
There’s also “De rouille et d’os” in 2012, with Marion Cotillard moving as can be, telling a story of rebirth between a somewhat lost bouncer and an amputee killer whale trainer. Had you ever seen that? This mix of violence and tenderness, typical Audiard.
And let’s not forget “Les Frères Sisters” in 2018, a modern western with Joaquin Phoenix and John C. Reilly. The American universe, yet his own style, a clever mix of poetry and harshness. In short, he’s not known for nothing as the most awarded at the César.
Finally, his latest film, “Emilia Pérez,” is a real breath of fresh air. This musical crime comedy about a transgender Mexican drug trafficker swings between genres, with a stunning cast. Audiard’s cinema keeps evolving, daring, surprising, and frankly, it feels good!
Some unusual anecdotes about Jacques Audiard
- 🎬 Switching from screenwriter to director at 42 was almost a rebirth for him. He admitted that directing a film is brutal, almost traumatic at first!
- 🎙️ During his first film, he said Jean-Louis Trintignant, despite his immense talent, had a surprising secret anxiety on set.
- 🎥 He often talks about the “betrayal of the script” as a necessity, something he considers the true mark of a great filmmaker. Quite counterintuitive, isn’t it?
- 🏆 He is the most awarded director at the César, a rare fact that shows his place in French cinema.
- 🌍 With “Emilia Pérez,” he explores very contemporary topics, mixing musical comedy with a genre film, a bold bet praised by both the public and critics.
His vision and commitment to cinema today
Jacques Audiard is a passionate man who doesn’t make cinema for fame. He loves this profession, he often says it, his only engine is cinema. When he talks about his work, it is with rare humility, and an intact desire to dig into souls behind the stories.
He doesn’t seek to show a nice image of the world, no, he prefers raw truth, sometimes harsh, always sincere. This taste for cinéma vérité is felt in every shot, in every dialogue he writes or directs. He wants the viewer to feel, not just watch.
In 2024, “Emilia Pérez” confirmed that he is not fixed in one style but ready to explore all genres, to break the codes. His cinema remains deeply human, engaged, both intimate and universal. He also continues collaborating with international actors and actresses, showing his openness.
Taking risks is his trademark. You know, it’s this ability to surprise and renew himself that makes his work exciting, and that makes him an essential figure, even after decades in the profession.
The must-watch Jacques Audiard films to absolutely (re)discover 📽️
- 🔥 Un prophète (2009) – A masterpiece about prison and survival.
- 💔 De rouille et d’os (2012) – A story of rage and rebirth.
- 🏆 Dheepan (2015) – Palme d’Or in Cannes, a powerful film about escape and reconstruction.
- 🤠 Les Frères Sisters (2018) – An atypical western, with a touch of poetry.
- 🎶 Emilia Pérez (2024) – Musical comedy and crime film, a bold new start.
Are you tempted by an immersion into his filmography? You will find everything you need on specialized sites like Allociné or the detailed biography of Jacques Audiard. For purists, INA offers precious archives on his career and interviews, a real treasure to understand his universe.
