Luc Paul Maurice Besson

Place: Paris

Born: 1959

Biography:

Luc Paul Maurice Besson is a French filmmaker, born on March 18, 1959, in Paris, France. He spent his early years following his parents, scuba diving instructors, around the world, which influenced his future career in filmmaking. At the age of 17, he suffered a serious diving accident that left him bedridden for a long time, during which he began to write his first scripts.

Early Career

Besson's interest in filmmaking led him to work as an assistant to directors, including Claude Faraldo and Patrick Grandperret. He directed three short films, a commissioned documentary, and several commercials. In the early 1980s, he met Éric Serra, who composed the score for his first short film, L'Avant dernier. This collaboration marked the beginning of Besson's successful career in filmmaking.

Notable Works

Besson has written and directed several notable films, including Subway (1985), The Big Blue (1988), and La Femme Nikita (1990). He is also known for his work on Léon: The Professional (1994) and The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (1999). Besson's film The Fifth Element (1997) won him the Lumières Award for Best Director and the César Award for Best Director.

Awards and Recognition

Besson has been nominated for several awards, including the César Award for Best Director and Best Picture for his films Léon: The Professional (1994) and The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (1999). He won the Best Director and Best French Director award for his film The Fifth Element (1997).

• César Award for Best Director: The Fifth Element (1997)
• Lumières Award for Best Director: The Fifth Element (1997)
• Nominated for César Award for Best Director and Best Picture: Léon: The Professional (1994) and The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (1999)

Collaborations and Influences

Besson has collaborated with several notable artists, including composer Éric Serra and actor Jean Reno. His films have been influenced by the French Cinéma du look movement, which emphasized visual style and innovative storytelling. For more information on Luc Paul Maurice Besson's filmography and awards, visit L'Avant dernier or check out his profile on The Big Blue. You can also explore the Museum of Modern Art and Centre Pompidou collections, which feature some of Besson's notable works.