Luc Besson French film director (<Underground>, <The Fifth Element>) Date of Birth: 18.03.1959 Country: France

Biography of Luc Besson

Luc Besson, a French film director born on March 18, 1959, in Paris, has made a significant impact on the world of cinema with his unique style. Growing up on the coast of Yugoslavia and Greece, Besson developed a passion for diving and underwater photography. However, a tragic accident at the age of seventeen ended his dreams of becoming a dolphin specialist.

In Paris, Besson explored various jobs while gradually becoming more involved in the film industry. He watched numerous movies, appeared in supporting roles, and assisted on film sets. At the age of nineteen, he moved to Hollywood with the intention of joining the ranks of his fellow filmmakers but returned to France after limited success. Upon his return, Besson served three years in the army before pursuing a career in film.

Besson started his filmmaking journey as a music video director and then worked as an assistant director. His debut film, "Le Dernier Combat" (The Last Battle), shot in black and white due to budget constraints, won two awards at the Avoriaz Film Festival. This success positioned Besson alongside notable French New Wave directors such as Jean-Jacques Annaud and Luc Jacquet.

His breakthrough came with the release of "Subway" in 1985, showcasing his distinctive style combining melodrama and intense action. Each of his films features a contrast between outer and inner worlds, allowing for intricate character development and captivating storytelling. In 1988, Besson directed "The Big Blue," a film that not only earned critical acclaim but also achieved commercial success. It won several César Awards and elevated Besson to cult status.

However, it was his film "La Femme Nikita" (1990) that truly propelled Besson to international fame. The movie's fast-paced narrative, combined with its musicality and intense atmosphere, resonated with audiences worldwide. It achieved particular success in the United States, leading to the release of a TV series. Besson's film "Léon: The Professional" (1994), depicting the relationship between a professional hitman and a twelve-year-old girl, garnered immense popularity and became a cult favorite. It introduced actors such as Jean Reno, who delivered one of his best performances, and a young Natalie Portman, whose path to Hollywood stardom was paved by the film. Today, "Léon: The Professional" holds the 31st spot on IMDb's list of the 250 best films.

Following "Léon," Besson directed a sci-fi action-comedy film called "The Fifth Element" (1997), which became the most expensive non-Hollywood production at the time. The film gained tremendous popularity and financial success. "The Fifth Element" also marked the rise of model-turned-actress Milla Jovovich, whose career skyrocketed after the film's release. Additionally, actors Gary Oldman and Bruce Willis starred in the movie. The futuristic setting required the creation of elaborate costumes and designs for extraterrestrial characters. Besson even invented a "divine language" for the main character, Leeloo, consisting of approximately four hundred words. After the completion of filming, Besson and Jovovich communicated effortlessly using this artificial language. During the production of "The Fifth Element," Besson and Jovovich developed a romantic relationship and eventually got married.

In the following years, Besson directed historical dramas such as "The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc" (1999), starring Jovovich as Joan of Arc. Although the film was a box office disappointment, Jovovich's performance received critical acclaim. The movie, however, was criticized for its grandiosity and pomposity, leading Besson to contemplate leaving the film industry. Friends persuaded him to continue but advised him to transition into producing, a role he had previously explored in his film "Taxi." Intrigued by this suggestion, Besson spent six years solely focusing on producing. During this period, he was involved in the production of successful films such as "Taxi 2" (2000), "Wasabi" (2001), "The Transporter" (2002), "Taxi 3" (2003), "Crimson Rivers 2: Angels of the Apocalypse" (2004), and "District 13" (2004), among others.

Besson returned to directing in 2005 with the release of "Angel-A," a black-and-white film that received positive reviews from both audiences and critics. Among his recent works are the fantasy film "The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec" (2010), the historical drama "The Lady" (2011), and the crime comedy "The Family" (2013), which didn't achieve significant popularity.

Apart from his directing career, Besson is also known as a writer. He authored a children's book series called "Arthur and the Minimoys," which was inspired by his screenplay for the film adaptation. The book series, divided into two volumes, gained immense popularity, leading Besson to write two additional books. The series follows the adventures of a young boy, Arthur, whose character is partially based on Besson himself.

Luc Besson's filmmaking style, blending Hollywood spectacle with French sentimentality, has made a lasting impact on the industry. Despite recent disappointments, he remains one of the most influential directors in France. According to a ranking published in the magazine "Premiere," Besson holds the prestigious second position among French filmmakers.