Xavier Villetard is a French film director and screenwriter from Paris. He has been a leader in the French independent film movement since the 1980s.
Villetard's directorial career began in 1981 with the film, 'Touche Pas'. His next film, 'Réalité', was released in 1983, and was well-received by critics. The film follows a young man who attempts to escape his dull life and societal expectations by becoming a street performer.
Villetard's breakthrough came with his 1987 film 'La Vie des Autres'. The film follows a woman struggling to make ends meet as she navigates the politics and poverty of Parisian life. It was a critical and commercial success and earned Villetard numerous awards, including a César Award for Best Director.
In 1989, Villetard released 'La Révolte', a historical drama about a peasant uprising against the French nobility in the 18th century. The film earned Villetard international recognition, and he won the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival.
Villetard's next film, 'Tous les Matins du Monde', was released in 1991. It follows a young composer who falls in love with a married woman. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning Villetard numerous awards, including his second César Award for Best Director.
Villetard's most recent work includes 'L'Amour Fou' (1995), 'Tous les Matins du Monde' (1999), 'La Bicyclette Bleue' (2006), and 'Rien d'Important' (2016). He has also written and directed several television series, including 'Les Petits Meurtres d'Agathie Christie' (2009-2010).
Villetard has been widely acclaimed for his work, and he has been honored with numerous awards, including two César Awards for Best Director and the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival. He is considered to be one of the most influential directors in French cinema.
