Michel Deville

Michel Deville (born 5 October 1931) is a French film director and screenwriter. He is a major figure in the French New Wave, and his films often explore the human condition and the relationships between men and women.

Deville was born in Geneva, Switzerland, and grew up in Paris. He attended the Sorbonne, and then began a career in advertising. He wrote his first screenplay in 1958, and his first film, Le Beau Serge, was released in 1959. The film was a critical success, and launched his career.

In the 1960s, Deville continued to make films that explored the human condition. His films often featured strong female characters, and he was sometimes credited with creating a new genre of French cinema. His films, such as La Chambre Verte (The Green Room, 1968) and La Collectionneuse (The Collector, 1967) were praised for their psychological depth and insight.

In the 1970s, Deville continued to make films that explored relationships between men and women. His films were often praised for their complexity and for portraying characters in a realistic way. His films La Femme Infidèle (The Unfaithful Woman, 1969) and L'Invitation (The Invitation, 1973) were particularly praised for their exploration of female characters.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Deville began to explore more commercial topics, such as detective stories and thrillers. His films often featured themes of crime, mystery, and suspense. He collaborated with other French directors, such as Claude Chabrol and Jean-Jacques Beineix, on a number of films.

Throughout his career, Deville has been praised for his technical skill, his mastery of the visual medium, and his exploration of the human condition. He has been awarded numerous awards, including the French Academy of Cinema's Prix d’excellence for his film Le Diable Probablement (The Devil Probably, 1977). He has also been nominated for the César Award for Best Director multiple times.

Deville is still an active filmmaker, and continues to make films that explore the human condition. His latest film, La Belle Époque (The Beautiful Era, 2019), received critical acclaim and was nominated for multiple awards. Deville has made a significant contribution to French cinema, and his films continue to be praised for their insight and complexity.