Description:
Michel Hazanavicius was born and raised in Paris, France. His grandparents were originally from Lithuania, but relocated to France in the 1920s. Hazanavicius attended art school, and moved on to work as a director for commercials and television projects. In 1999, he wrote and directed his first feature film Mes amis (1999), which featured his brother Serge Hazanavicius. His next feature film, spy parody, OSS 117: Le Caire, nid d'espions (2006) was a success at the French box office, and warranted a sequel, OSS 117: Rio ne répond plus (2009), which was also a hit. Hazanavicius came to the attention of international audiences with the release of an almost wordless film, The Artist (2011), which starred his wife, Bérénice Bejo and OSS 117 star Jean Dujardin. The film was a critical and popular hit, garnering many major nominations and awards.
Birthday
March 29, 1967
Born In
Paris, France
Alternative names
Michel Hazanavivius
Height
183 cm
Children
Lucien Hazanavicius
Trivia
As of 2012, he is one of seven directors who has directed his wife to an acting Oscar nomination (Bérénice Bejo in The Artist (2011)). The other five are Joel Coen directing Frances McDormand in Fargo (1996), John Cassavetes directing Gena Rowlands in A Woman Under the Influence (1974) & Gloria (1980), Richard Brooks directing Jean Simmons in The Happy Ending (1969), Blake Edwards directing Julie Andrews in Victor/Victoria (1982), Paul Czinner directing Elisabeth Bergner in Escape Me Never (1935) and Paul Newman directing Joanne Woodward in Rachel, Rachel (1968). Jules Dassin also directed his future wife, Melina Mercouri, in an Oscar-nominated performance (Pote tin Kyriaki (1960)), but they weren't married, yet, at the time of the nomination.
Quotes
I love silent cinema but don't hold it sacred. Like any branch of film there are some very boring films alongside the masterpieces. These films are old because of the era they're from, not specifically the format they're made in. It was important not think of [The Artist (2011)] as an "old movie". It's now, it's new. But you have the benefit of this neglected format which gives you some exciting options as a storyteller.
Nickname
L'Impavide
Salaries
€60,980
