Bertrand Bonello

Directing

Bertrand Bonello

Born

1968-09-11 (58)

Place of birth

Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France

Known for

Directing

Credits

57 titles

Bertrand Bonello (born 11 September 1968) is a French film director, screenwriter, producer, and composer. His background is in the field of classical music, and he lives between Paris, and Montreal. His work has often been associated with the New French Extremity. His film House of Tolerance, a depiction of daily life in a fin-de-siècle Parisian bordello, premiered in competition at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival. His 2014 film Saint Laurent competed for the Palme d'Or in the main competition section at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival. The film was also selected as France's submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 87th Academy Awards. Description above from the …

Known for

Cérémonie des César poster
4.6

The César Awards are cinematographic awards created in 1976 and presented annually in Paris to professionals of the 7th art in various categories to recognize the best French productions. They are often cited as the French equivalent of the Oscars in the United States.

Cérémonie des César

1976

Le Cercle poster
NR

As long as there is cinema, LE CERCLE will be there. It is the only television program of critical debates 100% devoted to cinema. Each week, it offers fiery, joyful and non-condescending jousts on the films on the bill; and invites with "Le questionnaire du CERCLE" directors to come and share their passion for cinema.

Le Cercle

2005

The Beast poster
6.3

In the near future where emotions have become a threat, Gabrielle finally decides to purify her DNA in a machine that will immerse her in her past lives and rid her of any strong feelings. She then meets Louis and feels a powerful connection, as if she had known him forever.

The Beast

2024

Titane poster
6.3

A woman with a metal plate in her head from a childhood car accident embarks on a bizarre journey, bringing her into contact with a firefighter who's reunited with his missing son after 10 years.

Titane

2021

Saint Laurent poster
6.1

1967-1976. As one of history's greatest fashion designers entered a decade of freedom, neither came out of it in one piece.

Saint Laurent

2014

House of Pleasures poster
6.5

The dawn of the 20th century: L’Apollonide, a luxurious and traditional brothel in Paris, is living its last days. In this closed world, where some men fall in love and others become viciously harmful, the women share their secrets, their fears, their joys and their pains.

House of Pleasures

2011

Film credits

2010s · 5 titles

Saint Laurent poster
6.1

1967-1976. As one of history's greatest fashion designers entered a decade of freedom, neither came out of it in one piece.

Saint Laurent

2014

Love Express. The Disappearance of Walerian Borowczyk poster
4.0

A documentary celebrating the work of Walerian Borowczyk, a director of unparalleled sensitivity, revered in the 1970s, who was later labeled as a maker of erotic movies.

Love Express. The Disappearance of Walerian Borowczyk

2018

Where Are You, Bertrand Bonello? poster
NR

An autobiographical essay film structured as a letter to the director’s young daughter, "Où en êtes-vous, Bertrand Bonello?" weaves clips from Bonello’s films, excerpts from his scripts, pop songs, and snippets of original footage into a lyrical, reflexive cinematic self-portrait. "Où en êtes-vous?" is a collection initiated by Centre Pompidou, who asked directors to make retrospective and introspective films.

Where Are You, Bertrand Bonello?

2014

Portrait of the Artist poster
5.7

A famous filmmaker works on his next film, which will focus on monstrosity. He is obsessed by the idea of finding a painting that will be central to the film and will crystallize all the power and beauty of monsters. But what he doesn't show to anyone, not even his wife, is the mark on his back that keeps getting bigger. This red mark worries him, upsets him, and seems to want to tell him something...

Portrait of the Artist

2015

Rouge poster
6.0

A companion to the director's Le Dos Rouge/Portrait of the Artist. A famous filmmaker works on his next film, which will focus on monstrosity. He is obsessed by the idea of finding a painting that will be central to the film and will crystallize all the power and beauty of monsters.

Rouge

2015

2000s · 6 titles

Series credits

Behind the camera

The Beast poster
6.3

In the near future where emotions have become a threat, Gabrielle finally decides to purify her DNA in a machine that will immerse her in her past lives and rid her of any strong feelings. She then meets Louis and feels a powerful connection, as if she had known him forever.

The Beast

2024

The Beast poster
6.3

In the near future where emotions have become a threat, Gabrielle finally decides to purify her DNA in a machine that will immerse her in her past lives and rid her of any strong feelings. She then meets Louis and feels a powerful connection, as if she had known him forever.

The Beast

2024

The Beast poster
6.3

In the near future where emotions have become a threat, Gabrielle finally decides to purify her DNA in a machine that will immerse her in her past lives and rid her of any strong feelings. She then meets Louis and feels a powerful connection, as if she had known him forever.

The Beast

2024

Saint Laurent poster
6.1

1967-1976. As one of history's greatest fashion designers entered a decade of freedom, neither came out of it in one piece.

Saint Laurent

2014

House of Pleasures poster
6.5

The dawn of the 20th century: L’Apollonide, a luxurious and traditional brothel in Paris, is living its last days. In this closed world, where some men fall in love and others become viciously harmful, the women share their secrets, their fears, their joys and their pains.

House of Pleasures

2011

House of Pleasures poster
6.5

The dawn of the 20th century: L’Apollonide, a luxurious and traditional brothel in Paris, is living its last days. In this closed world, where some men fall in love and others become viciously harmful, the women share their secrets, their fears, their joys and their pains.

House of Pleasures

2011

House of Pleasures poster
6.5

The dawn of the 20th century: L’Apollonide, a luxurious and traditional brothel in Paris, is living its last days. In this closed world, where some men fall in love and others become viciously harmful, the women share their secrets, their fears, their joys and their pains.

House of Pleasures

2011

Zombi Child poster
6.1

Haiti, 1962: A man is brought back from the dead only to be sent to the living hell of the sugarcane fields. In Paris, 55 years later, at the prestigious Légion d’honneur boarding school, a Haitian girl confesses an old family secret to a group of new friends - never imagining that this strange tale will convince a heartbroken classmate to do the unthinkable.

Zombi Child

2019

Zombi Child poster
6.1

Haiti, 1962: A man is brought back from the dead only to be sent to the living hell of the sugarcane fields. In Paris, 55 years later, at the prestigious Légion d’honneur boarding school, a Haitian girl confesses an old family secret to a group of new friends - never imagining that this strange tale will convince a heartbroken classmate to do the unthinkable.

Zombi Child

2019

Zombi Child poster
6.1

Haiti, 1962: A man is brought back from the dead only to be sent to the living hell of the sugarcane fields. In Paris, 55 years later, at the prestigious Légion d’honneur boarding school, a Haitian girl confesses an old family secret to a group of new friends - never imagining that this strange tale will convince a heartbroken classmate to do the unthinkable.

Zombi Child

2019

Nocturama poster
6.4

Some young folks, tired of the society they're living in, plan a bomb attack over Paris before taking shelter for a night in a shopping center.

Nocturama

2016

Nocturama poster
6.4

Some young folks, tired of the society they're living in, plan a bomb attack over Paris before taking shelter for a night in a shopping center.

Nocturama

2016

The Pornographer poster
5.1

A former porn director, who once elevated the genre with 1960s counter-culture ideals, returns to filmmaking after 20 years, clashing with his producer's hard-core vision. Estranged from his son over the family business, they begin reconnecting as the son embraces political activism, while the director seeks personal renewal.

The Pornographer

2001

The Pornographer poster
5.1

A former porn director, who once elevated the genre with 1960s counter-culture ideals, returns to filmmaking after 20 years, clashing with his producer's hard-core vision. Estranged from his son over the family business, they begin reconnecting as the son embraces political activism, while the director seeks personal renewal.

The Pornographer

2001

The Dam poster
6.3

Merowe Dam in North Sudan. Maher works in a traditional brickyard fed by the waters of the Nile. Every evening, he secretly wanders off into the desert to erect a mysterious construction made of mud. Despite a disturbing wound in his lower back that seems to be eating away at his skin, he continues his labor day after day. While the Sudanese people rise to claim their freedom, his mud creation starts slowly to take a life of its own.

The Dam

2023

No artwork available
NR

Draws inspiration from the legacy of Pope John Paul II, particularly the passionate cries of “Santo Subito!” that echoed after his death in 2005, urging his immediate canonization.

Santo Subito!

—

No artwork available
NR

Draws inspiration from the legacy of Pope John Paul II, particularly the passionate cries of “Santo Subito!” that echoed after his death in 2005, urging his immediate canonization.

Santo Subito!

—

No artwork available
NR

Draws inspiration from the legacy of Pope John Paul II, particularly the passionate cries of “Santo Subito!” that echoed after his death in 2005, urging his immediate canonization.

Santo Subito!

—

Coma poster
5.7

Amidst a period of unprecedented world events, an eighteen-year-old girl’s life is placed on hold. Isolated in her bedroom, she falls under the spell of the mysterious vlogger Patricia Coma. As time carries on, the lines between her dreams, fears, hopes, and reality begin to blur into one another.

Coma

2022

Coma poster
5.7

Amidst a period of unprecedented world events, an eighteen-year-old girl’s life is placed on hold. Isolated in her bedroom, she falls under the spell of the mysterious vlogger Patricia Coma. As time carries on, the lines between her dreams, fears, hopes, and reality begin to blur into one another.

Coma

2022

Coma poster
5.7

Amidst a period of unprecedented world events, an eighteen-year-old girl’s life is placed on hold. Isolated in her bedroom, she falls under the spell of the mysterious vlogger Patricia Coma. As time carries on, the lines between her dreams, fears, hopes, and reality begin to blur into one another.

Coma

2022

Tiresia poster
5.9

Based on the legend of Tiresias, it tells of a transgender woman who is kidnapped by a man and left to die in the woods. She is then saved by a family and receives the gift of telling the future.

Tiresia

2003

Tiresia poster
5.9

Based on the legend of Tiresias, it tells of a transgender woman who is kidnapped by a man and left to die in the woods. She is then saved by a family and receives the gift of telling the future.

Tiresia

2003

Cindy, the Doll Is Mine poster
5.1

Cindy, the doll is mine is a short film by French director Bertrand Bonello. It stars Italian actress Asia Argento in the double role of photographer Cindy Sherman, a brunette, and her model, a blonde who strangely resemble one another. The film was screened out of competition at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival.

Cindy, the Doll Is Mine

2005

Cindy, the Doll Is Mine poster
5.1

Cindy, the doll is mine is a short film by French director Bertrand Bonello. It stars Italian actress Asia Argento in the double role of photographer Cindy Sherman, a brunette, and her model, a blonde who strangely resemble one another. The film was screened out of competition at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival.

Cindy, the Doll Is Mine

2005

Transfigured – 12 Lives of Schoenberg poster
NR

Twelve notes of the chromatic scale, twelve excerpts from Arnold Schoenberg’s iconic works: In excerpts from twelve of Arnold Schoenberg’s major works, the Orchestre de Paris, singers, and a pianist compete to faithfully capture the composer’s musical diversity in a production directed by Bertrand Bonello.

Transfigured – 12 Lives of Schoenberg

2024

Sarah Winchester: Ghost Opera poster
5.9

An opera ballet that doesn't exist. A ghost-like piece, played in Opera Bastille and danced at Opera Garnier. An almost mystical link between both scenes. A musician is testing sounds in Bastille's pit. The choir are taking their place in the rehearsal studio. Both sides are fine tuning the work in progress of an opera ballet: Sarah Winchester, her grief, her madness, her home and her ghosts.

Sarah Winchester: Ghost Opera

2016

Sarah Winchester: Ghost Opera poster
5.9

An opera ballet that doesn't exist. A ghost-like piece, played in Opera Bastille and danced at Opera Garnier. An almost mystical link between both scenes. A musician is testing sounds in Bastille's pit. The choir are taking their place in the rehearsal studio. Both sides are fine tuning the work in progress of an opera ballet: Sarah Winchester, her grief, her madness, her home and her ghosts.

Sarah Winchester: Ghost Opera

2016

Sarah Winchester: Ghost Opera poster
5.9

An opera ballet that doesn't exist. A ghost-like piece, played in Opera Bastille and danced at Opera Garnier. An almost mystical link between both scenes. A musician is testing sounds in Bastille's pit. The choir are taking their place in the rehearsal studio. Both sides are fine tuning the work in progress of an opera ballet: Sarah Winchester, her grief, her madness, her home and her ghosts.

Sarah Winchester: Ghost Opera

2016

On War poster
4.9

After a freak accident changes his perspective on life, a Parisian filmmaker meets a stranger who brings him to a commune that's populated by free-spirited women.

On War

2008

On War poster
4.9

After a freak accident changes his perspective on life, a Parisian filmmaker meets a stranger who brings him to a commune that's populated by free-spirited women.

On War

2008

No artwork available
NR

A woman leaves Paris, rock music and fame to drive a school bus in Montreal. Back in Paris, her lover questions the people who knew her to try to understand.

Le bus d’Alice

1995

No artwork available
NR

A woman leaves Paris, rock music and fame to drive a school bus in Montreal. Back in Paris, her lover questions the people who knew her to try to understand.

Le bus d’Alice

1995

Where Are You, Bertrand Bonello? poster
NR

An autobiographical essay film structured as a letter to the director’s young daughter, "Où en êtes-vous, Bertrand Bonello?" weaves clips from Bonello’s films, excerpts from his scripts, pop songs, and snippets of original footage into a lyrical, reflexive cinematic self-portrait. "Où en êtes-vous?" is a collection initiated by Centre Pompidou, who asked directors to make retrospective and introspective films.

Where Are You, Bertrand Bonello?

2014

Where Are You, Bertrand Bonello? poster
NR

An autobiographical essay film structured as a letter to the director’s young daughter, "Où en êtes-vous, Bertrand Bonello?" weaves clips from Bonello’s films, excerpts from his scripts, pop songs, and snippets of original footage into a lyrical, reflexive cinematic self-portrait. "Où en êtes-vous?" is a collection initiated by Centre Pompidou, who asked directors to make retrospective and introspective films.

Where Are You, Bertrand Bonello?

2014

Something Organic poster
5.0

After 5 years, a young Montreal couple's marriage begins to collapse.

Something Organic

1998

Something Organic poster
5.0

After 5 years, a young Montreal couple's marriage begins to collapse.

Something Organic

1998

Where the Boys Are poster
3.4

A few girls in an apartment. Across the street men are building a mosque.

Where the Boys Are

2009

Where the Boys Are poster
3.4

A few girls in an apartment. Across the street men are building a mosque.

Where the Boys Are

2009

Où en êtes-vous? (Numéro 2) poster
NR

Video #2 of Finite Rants, a series of eight visual essays commissioned by Fondazione Prada and curated by Luigi Alberto Cippini and Niccolò Gravina. Bertrand Bonello reworks the last minutes of his 2016 film Nocturama, which documents the logistical operations and the organization of terrorist attacks in Paris by a group of teenagers. Starting with "Où en êtes-vous?", a video commissioned by the Centre Pompidou in 2014 and conceived as a letter to his then 11-year-old daughter, the director makes a new work altering the final sequence of Nocturama and completely modifying the textual component and the soundtrack in this video essay as a second letter written for his now 17-year-old daughter.

Où en êtes-vous? (Numéro 2)

2020