Jan Kounen

Directing

Jan Kounen

Born

1964-05-02 (62)

Place of birth

Utrecht, Netherlands

Known for

Directing

Credits

50 titles

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jan Kounen (born 2 May 1964, Utrecht, Netherlands) is a Dutch-born French film director and producer. In France, he is mostly known for his films Dobermann (1997), Blueberry, l'experience secrete (2004) and 99 francs (2007). Outside of France, he is rather known for his interest in Shipibo-Conibo culture and shamanism, with which he became familiar during his trips to Mexico and Peru, and for some music videos. Most noticeable are the four videos he did for the English pop group Erasure in the 1990s (including three for the project Abba-esque) :     Lay all your love on me (1992)     Voulez-vous (1992)     S.O.S. (1992)     Always (1994) Descripti…

Known for

Quotidien poster
4.9

Quotidien (nicknamed "The French Show with the Good Lighting" abroad) is a French daily infotainment television program broadcast in the early evening on TMC since September 12, 2016. The show is hosted by Yann Barthès and produced by Bangumi. It consists of segments and reports produced by the team of commentators and journalists surrounding Yann Barthès and features daily guests including newsmakers, intellectuals, politicians, and French and international celebrities.

Quotidien

2016

Clique poster
4.5

No synopsis available yet.

Clique

2013

Eurotrash poster
6.5

The likes of Antoine de Caunes, Jean Paul Gaultier, Davina McCall, and Lolo Ferrari are your guides to the weird and wonderful in Europe and beyond. How else would you learn about pubic hairdressers, the Penis Olympics, or the latest Japanese sex toys?

Eurotrash

1993

The Shrinking Man poster
6.0

Paul, is an ordinary man who divides his life between his shipbuilding company, his wife Elise and their daughter Mia. During a sea trip, Paul finds himself confronted with a strange, unexplained meteorological phenomenon. From then on, Paul shrinks inexorably, without science being able to explain why or be of any help to him. When, by accident, he finds himself a prisoner in his own cellar, and while he is only a few centimeters tall, he will have to fight to survive in this banal environment that has become perilous. During this experience, Paul will find himself confronted with himself, with his humanity, and will try to answer the great questions of existence.

The Shrinking Man

2025

Dobermann poster
6.5

The charismatic criminal Dobermann, who got his first gun when he was christened, leads a gang of brutal robbers. After a complex and brutal bank robbery, they are being hunted by the Paris police. The hunt is led by the sadistic cop Christini, who only has one goal: to catch Dobermann at any cost.

Dobermann

1997

Blueberry poster
4.9

U.S Marshal Mike Donovan has dark memories of the death of his first love. He keeps peace between the Americans and the natives who had temporarily adopted and taken care of him. The evil actions of a white sorcerer lead him to confront the villain in the Sacred Mountains, and, through shamanic rituals conquer his fears and uncover a suppressed memory he would much rather deny.

Blueberry

2004

Film credits

2000s · 3 titles

Blueberry poster
4.9

U.S Marshal Mike Donovan has dark memories of the death of his first love. He keeps peace between the Americans and the natives who had temporarily adopted and taken care of him. The evil actions of a white sorcerer lead him to confront the villain in the Sacred Mountains, and, through shamanic rituals conquer his fears and uncover a suppressed memory he would much rather deny.

Blueberry

2004

99 Francs poster
6.7

Paris, France, 2001. Octave Parango, a young advertiser working at the Ross & Witchcraft advertising agency, lives a suicidal existence, ruled by cynicism, irresponsibility and debauchery. The obstacles he will encounter in developing a campaign for a new yogurt brand will force him to face the meaning of his work and the way he manages his relationship with those who orbit around his egotistic lifestyle.

99 Francs

2007

Other Worlds poster
7.0

The secrets about unlocking the mysteries of consciousness by plant-drugs. The related chances and risks involved in this shamanism. While filming Blueberry, the Secret Experience, Jan Kounen met the Shipibo healers of the Peruvian Amazon and discovered their sacred plant: Ayahuasca, the spirit vine. Deeply affected by this experience, he decided to return to Peru to shoot a documentary on the plant and the medicinal rites of the shamans. To this end, he filmed the natives but also met neurologists, philosophers, artists, and chemists working on this subject. He notably interviewed Jean Giraud, the illustrator of Blueberry, and Kary Mullis, winner of the 1993 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. More than a traditional documentary, the film is an invitation to travel, a half-open door to another world or another perception of reality. The secrets about unlocking the mysteries of consciousness by plant-drugs. The related chances and risks involved in this shamanism.

Other Worlds

2004

Series credits

Behind the camera

The Shrinking Man poster
6.0

Paul, is an ordinary man who divides his life between his shipbuilding company, his wife Elise and their daughter Mia. During a sea trip, Paul finds himself confronted with a strange, unexplained meteorological phenomenon. From then on, Paul shrinks inexorably, without science being able to explain why or be of any help to him. When, by accident, he finds himself a prisoner in his own cellar, and while he is only a few centimeters tall, he will have to fight to survive in this banal environment that has become perilous. During this experience, Paul will find himself confronted with himself, with his humanity, and will try to answer the great questions of existence.

The Shrinking Man

2025

The Shrinking Man poster
6.0

Paul, is an ordinary man who divides his life between his shipbuilding company, his wife Elise and their daughter Mia. During a sea trip, Paul finds himself confronted with a strange, unexplained meteorological phenomenon. From then on, Paul shrinks inexorably, without science being able to explain why or be of any help to him. When, by accident, he finds himself a prisoner in his own cellar, and while he is only a few centimeters tall, he will have to fight to survive in this banal environment that has become perilous. During this experience, Paul will find himself confronted with himself, with his humanity, and will try to answer the great questions of existence.

The Shrinking Man

2025

Dobermann poster
6.5

The charismatic criminal Dobermann, who got his first gun when he was christened, leads a gang of brutal robbers. After a complex and brutal bank robbery, they are being hunted by the Paris police. The hunt is led by the sadistic cop Christini, who only has one goal: to catch Dobermann at any cost.

Dobermann

1997

Blueberry poster
4.9

U.S Marshal Mike Donovan has dark memories of the death of his first love. He keeps peace between the Americans and the natives who had temporarily adopted and taken care of him. The evil actions of a white sorcerer lead him to confront the villain in the Sacred Mountains, and, through shamanic rituals conquer his fears and uncover a suppressed memory he would much rather deny.

Blueberry

2004

My Cousin poster
5.5

Pierre is the highly successful CEO of a large family-owned company. Before signing the deal of the century, he has to settle one last formality: obtain the signature of his cousin Adrien who owns 50% of his firm. This sweet, idealistic dreamer, who makes one blunder after another, is so happy to see Pierre again that he wants to spend time with him and delay the moment of signing. So Pierre has no choice but to take his cousin with him on a turbulent business trip during which his patience will be put to the test.

My Cousin

2020

My Cousin poster
5.5

Pierre is the highly successful CEO of a large family-owned company. Before signing the deal of the century, he has to settle one last formality: obtain the signature of his cousin Adrien who owns 50% of his firm. This sweet, idealistic dreamer, who makes one blunder after another, is so happy to see Pierre again that he wants to spend time with him and delay the moment of signing. So Pierre has no choice but to take his cousin with him on a turbulent business trip during which his patience will be put to the test.

My Cousin

2020

Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky poster
6.1

Paris 1913. Coco Chanel is infatuated with the rich and handsome Boy Capel, but she is also compelled by her work. Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring is about to be performed. The revolutionary dissonances of Igor's work parallel Coco's radical ideas. She wants to democratize women's fashion; he wants to redefine musical taste. Coco attends the scandalous first performance of The Rite in a chic white dress. The music and ballet are criticized as too modern, too foreign. Coco is moved but Igor is inconsolable.

Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky

2009

99 Francs poster
6.7

Paris, France, 2001. Octave Parango, a young advertiser working at the Ross & Witchcraft advertising agency, lives a suicidal existence, ruled by cynicism, irresponsibility and debauchery. The obstacles he will encounter in developing a campaign for a new yogurt brand will force him to face the meaning of his work and the way he manages his relationship with those who orbit around his egotistic lifestyle.

99 Francs

2007

Gisèle Kérozène poster
5.8

Three witches worship a bird statue in a postmodern city. When Gisèle Kerozene comes and steals it, the three witches jump on their brooms and initiate a hilarious chase.

Gisèle Kérozène

1990

Vibroboy poster
6.9

An old aztec statue brought back from Mexico to France by a transvestite and an acrobat suddenly releases El Vibro, a.k.a. Vibroboy, a superhero endowed with a phallic driller...

Vibroboy

1994

Vibroboy poster
6.9

An old aztec statue brought back from Mexico to France by a transvestite and an acrobat suddenly releases El Vibro, a.k.a. Vibroboy, a superhero endowed with a phallic driller...

Vibroboy

1994

Capitaine X poster
6.7

You wake up in a warehouse where a bunch of degenerates is willing to execute you.

Capitaine X

1994

Capitaine X poster
6.7

You wake up in a warehouse where a bunch of degenerates is willing to execute you.

Capitaine X

1994

8 poster
5.4

8 shorts centered around 8 themes directed by 8 famous film directors involved and sharing their opinion on progress, on the set-backs and the challenges our planet faces today.

8

2008

8 poster
5.4

8 shorts centered around 8 themes directed by 8 famous film directors involved and sharing their opinion on progress, on the set-backs and the challenges our planet faces today.

8

2008

Jan Kounen - Intégrale courts métrages poster
NR

All shorts films of director Jan Kounen on DVD.

Jan Kounen - Intégrale courts métrages

2005

Cinema 16: European Short Films (European Edition) poster
6.0

A collection of short films by 16 European directors.

Cinema 16: European Short Films (European Edition)

2006

Darshan - The Embrance poster
6.2

Amma, one of India's most famous "Mahatmas" or spiritual guides, is known internationally for her charitable donations, fight for peace, and work with illiteracy. In 2002, she won the Gandhi King Prize for her work, joining a prestigious group of winners that include, Nelson Mandela and Khofi Annan. Here is a chronicle of her journey throughout India, traveling with her inner circle to visit with her disciples.

Darshan - The Embrance

2005

Darshan - The Embrance poster
6.2

Amma, one of India's most famous "Mahatmas" or spiritual guides, is known internationally for her charitable donations, fight for peace, and work with illiteracy. In 2002, she won the Gandhi King Prize for her work, joining a prestigious group of winners that include, Nelson Mandela and Khofi Annan. Here is a chronicle of her journey throughout India, traveling with her inner circle to visit with her disciples.

Darshan - The Embrance

2005

L'âge de plastic poster
8.0

A short film by Jan Kounen.

L'âge de plastic

1990

The Journey: Mother Ocean poster
9.1

Famous and talented feature film director and scriptwriter Jan Kounen plunges the viewer into a unique and thrilling adventure of pregnancy, birth, and baby’s first swim, alongside marine creatures. Leina Sato is a Japanese professional free diver and is expecting her first child. Her partner, Jean-Marie Ghislain is a famous underwater photographer. They share a passion for the oceans, and believe that a strong bond between a mother-to-be and cetaceans exists. And they want to prove it. Leina will be multiplying her encounters with whales, dolphins and other underwater mammals. Mother Ocean is the incredible encounter between humans and under water species, around the universal question of giving birth and the power of creating life.

The Journey: Mother Ocean

2016

The Last Little Red Riding Hood poster
6.8

A old red riding hood, badly crippled after killing a monster many years ago, comes up with a sinister plan to dance again.

The Last Little Red Riding Hood

1998

The Last Little Red Riding Hood poster
6.8

A old red riding hood, badly crippled after killing a monster many years ago, comes up with a sinister plan to dance again.

The Last Little Red Riding Hood

1998

Other Worlds poster
7.0

The secrets about unlocking the mysteries of consciousness by plant-drugs. The related chances and risks involved in this shamanism. While filming Blueberry, the Secret Experience, Jan Kounen met the Shipibo healers of the Peruvian Amazon and discovered their sacred plant: Ayahuasca, the spirit vine. Deeply affected by this experience, he decided to return to Peru to shoot a documentary on the plant and the medicinal rites of the shamans. To this end, he filmed the natives but also met neurologists, philosophers, artists, and chemists working on this subject. He notably interviewed Jean Giraud, the illustrator of Blueberry, and Kary Mullis, winner of the 1993 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. More than a traditional documentary, the film is an invitation to travel, a half-open door to another world or another perception of reality. The secrets about unlocking the mysteries of consciousness by plant-drugs. The related chances and risks involved in this shamanism.

Other Worlds

2004

Other Worlds poster
7.0

The secrets about unlocking the mysteries of consciousness by plant-drugs. The related chances and risks involved in this shamanism. While filming Blueberry, the Secret Experience, Jan Kounen met the Shipibo healers of the Peruvian Amazon and discovered their sacred plant: Ayahuasca, the spirit vine. Deeply affected by this experience, he decided to return to Peru to shoot a documentary on the plant and the medicinal rites of the shamans. To this end, he filmed the natives but also met neurologists, philosophers, artists, and chemists working on this subject. He notably interviewed Jean Giraud, the illustrator of Blueberry, and Kary Mullis, winner of the 1993 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. More than a traditional documentary, the film is an invitation to travel, a half-open door to another world or another perception of reality. The secrets about unlocking the mysteries of consciousness by plant-drugs. The related chances and risks involved in this shamanism.

Other Worlds

2004

The Story of Panshin Beka poster
NR

Part of the film "8", Jan Kounen delivers a film on maternal health.

The Story of Panshin Beka

2006

No artwork available
0.5

No synopsis available yet.

Formidable

1994

No artwork available
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Epiphania

—

Ayahuasca: Kosmik Journey poster
NR

What happens when indigenous healing rituals and immersive technology converge? Inspired by his own experiences with ayahuasca, a plant infusion traditionally used in healing and self-discovery ceremonies by peoples of the Amazon, director Jan Kounen embarks on a spiritual, visual journey. He attempts to capture the physical and hallucinatory states of such a ceremony on film.

Ayahuasca: Kosmik Journey

2019

Ayahuasca: Kosmik Journey poster
NR

What happens when indigenous healing rituals and immersive technology converge? Inspired by his own experiences with ayahuasca, a plant infusion traditionally used in healing and self-discovery ceremonies by peoples of the Amazon, director Jan Kounen embarks on a spiritual, visual journey. He attempts to capture the physical and hallucinatory states of such a ceremony on film.

Ayahuasca: Kosmik Journey

2019

No artwork available
NR

Europe, 1941. Nazi Germany develops the Omega Wave: a dangerous mind-control weapon capable of bending human will. MI5 Captain Blake and physicist Mortimer join forces to destroy it. The lab goes up in flames and the weapon is lost… or so they believe. Twelve years later, in 1953 London, a string of unexplained deaths grips the city. A shadowy figure known as “M” surfaces, armed with the Omega Wave. With the Queen’s coronation days away, Blake and Mortimer, two old friends, reunite on a deadly mission.

Blake & Mortimer: The Yellow M

—

Vape Wave poster
7.5

A retrospective on the history of the tobacco industry, and how vaping can, and will, save lives.

Vape Wave

2016

Vape Wave poster
7.5

A retrospective on the history of the tobacco industry, and how vaping can, and will, save lives.

Vape Wave

2016

-22.7°C The Far North Musical Experience poster
6.0

The music producer Molécule stayed in a village in Greeland, where he recorded the sounds of the Artic to compose music. The viewer follows Molécule in his adventure in the extreme North, in a sensorial and musical immersion.

-22.7°C The Far North Musical Experience

2019

7 Lives poster
10.0

An afternoon in June. Tokyo. 5 p.m. A girl jumps in front of the subway. Her soul rises from the rails. On the platform, the witnesses of the scene are in shock. It revived a trauma in them, painful memories they never overcame...

7 Lives

2019