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Jacques Audiard, he was born in 1952, exactly on April 30 in Paris. Honestly, with his heritage, son of Michel Audiard, the great dialogue writer, one might have thought he would follow a well-trodden 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 starting directing, you know what? He began as an assistant director with big names like Roman Polanski. Not bad. Then he wrote screenplays one after another, like for “Le Professionnel” or “Mortelle randonnée” — cult films, can you imagine? He’s a cinema guy, but not a direct family product, he really worked his way up.
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 thriller but a noir film. The reception? Selected for the Critics’ Week at Cannes, right away. You can feel in this film his fascination for men, their flaws… and it doesn’t stop there.
Since then, it’s a succession of gems, with awards galore. “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 can’t help exploring 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 encounters and experiences, far from family comfort. Pretty classy, right?
Son of Michel Audiard, he could have settled just for being a son. But he had other ambitions, at his own pace. Teacher, screenwriter, then director, though he will be 72 years old in 2025, he has kept this impressive fire, this sharp view of the world. Between Paris and his sets, he composes stories that touch.
His private life is more discreet, no scandal on the horizon, 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 mainly his love of cinema, not just the technique, but this total immersion in the characters.
What also surprises is his boldness: in 2024, with “Emilia Pérez”, he tries his hand at a musical comedy while keeping his hard and human universe. Risky bet? Yes. Successful bet? Clearly. This film won two awards at Cannes and already dominates the 2025 Oscar nominations, notably thanks to the performances of Zoe Saldaña and Karla Sofía Gascón.
The atypical career of Jacques Audiard, from screenwriter to star director
You have to keep in mind one thing, Jacques Audiard took his time before daring to get behind the camera. After signing screenplays that became cult in the 80s, he started late, not before he was over 40. But then, he gave it his all.
His first film, “Regarde les hommes tomber”, is already a shock. A dark mix, a dive into solitude and the violence of male characters. He even spoke of betraying the script, a pretty crazy thing for a screenwriter, but that’s what makes his style: letting go, letting actors make the text their own.
That is probably what explains his growing success, his actors love working with him. Jean-Louis Trintignant, Vincent Cassel, Marion Cotillard, Tahar Rahim, the guy has this gift for revealing talents. And as for awards, he is the César record holder with an impressive number of distinctions placing him at the top of French cinema.
And then, his films don’t look alike. From dark drama to social road movie, 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?
The major successes of Jacques Audiard, 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 have surely heard of “Un prophète” in 2009. Malik, a young prisoner, who evolves in a brutal world. This film is a monument. And Tahar Rahim, a total revelation, no one even talked about him before!
There is also “De rouille et d’os” in 2012, with a touching Marion Cotillard, telling a story of rebirth between a slightly lost bouncer and an orca trainer who is an amputee. Had you already seen that? This mix of violence and tenderness, typical of Audiard.
And let’s not forget “Les Frères Sisters” in 2018, a modern western with Joaquin Phoenix and John C. Reilly. The American universe, and yet his very own style, a clever mix of poetry and hardness. In short, he is not known without reason as the most awarded at the Césars.
Finally, his latest film, “Emilia Pérez”, is a real breath of fresh air. This musical police comedy about a transgender Mexican drug dealer swings between genres, with a stunning cast. Audiard’s cinema continues to evolve, to dare, to surprise, and frankly, it feels good!
Some unusual anecdotes about Jacques Audiard
- 🎬 Moving 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 that 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 counter-intuitive, right?
- 🏆 He is the most awarded director at the Césars, a rare fact showing his place in French cinema.
- 🌍 With “Emilia Pérez”, he explores very contemporary topics, mixing musical comedy with a genre film, a bold bet acclaimed by the public and critics.
His vision and commitment to cinema today
Jacques Audiard is a passionate man who doesn’t make films for glory. He loves this profession, he says it often, his only engine is cinema. When he talks about his work, it’s with rare humility, and an intact desire to dig into souls behind stories.
He doesn’t seek to show a beautiful 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 a style, but ready to explore all genres, to break codes. His cinema remains deeply human, committed, both intimate and universal. He also continues to collaborate with international actors and actresses, showing his openness.
Taking risks is his trademark. You know, it is this ability to surprise and renew himself that makes his work exciting, and that makes him a key figure, even after decades in the business.
The essential Jacques Audiard films to (re)discover absolutely 📽️
- 🔥 Un prophète (2009) – A accomplished masterpiece on prison and survival.
- 💔 De rouille et d’os (2012) – A story of rage and rebirth.
- 🏆 Dheepan (2015) – Palme d’Or at 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 thriller, 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 speeches, a real treasure to understand his universe.
