Michel Hazanavicius

Directing

Michel Hazanavicius

Born 1967-03-29 · Paris, France

Michel Haznavicius (born 29 March 1967) is a French film director, producer and screenwriter best known for his spy movie parodies OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies and OSS 117: Lost in Rio, both of which star Jean Dujardin. His 2011 film The Artist competed for the Palme d'Or at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival but lost to The Tree of Life. Dujardin though won the best actor prize at Cannes for his role in The Artist. Hazanavicius was born in Paris. His family is Jewish, and originally from Lithuania. His grandparents were from both Poland and Lithuania and settled in France in the 1920s. Before directing films, Hazanavicius worked in television, beginning with the Canal+ channel, where he started as a director in 1988. He began directing commercials for companies such as Reebok and Bouygues Telecom, and then, in 1993, he made his first feature-length film, La Classe américaine, for television. The film, co-directed with Dominique Mézerette, consisted entirely of footage taken from various films produced by the Warner Bros. studio, re-edited and dubbed into French. In 1997, Hazanavicius directed his first short film, Echec au capital, and followed it up with his first theatrically released feature, Mes amis, which starred his brother, actor Serge Hazanavicius. Seven years later, Hazanavicius wrote and directed his second feature, OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies, a parody of 1960s spy movies and specifically of OSS 117, a popular character created by Jean Bruce in 1949. The $17.5 million film was a modest box office success, with $23 million worldwide receipts. A sequel, OSS 117: Lost in Rio, followed in 2009. Both films were later distributed in the United States by Music Box Films. The Artist, a black and white film without dialogue which takes place in Hollywood on the eve of sound film, screened in competition at the 2011 Cannes International Film Festival. The Artist was later released to universal acclaim. On 24 January 2012 Hazanavicius received nominations for three Oscars: the Academy Awards for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Editing. Hazanavicius said winning an Oscar would be "like dreaming of going to the moon – you don't really believe it could ever happen." Hazanavicius won the Academy Award for Best Director for The Artist, at the 84th Academy Awards. He was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in June 2012 along with 175 other individuals. He contributed a section to the omnibus film The Players (Les Infidèles) starring Jean Dujardin. He then announced that his next feature film would be a remake of the 1948 Fred Zinnemann film The Search. The film stars Berenice Bejo in the Montgomery Clift role as an NGO worker helping a little boy find his family in modern-day Chechnya and was produced by Thomas Langmann. Golden Globe Award actress winner Annette Bening also stars in the film. Hazanavicius was in a relationship with film director Virginia Lovisone, and they have two daughters together, Simone and Fantine. He is married to Bérénice Bejo, who acted in his films OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies, The Artist and The Search. Hazanavicius and Bejo have two children together: Lucien and Gloria.

Acting credits

Keep an Eye Out poster
6.7

Louis just found the corpse of a man in front of his apartment building. Taken in for custody by Captain Buron, he finds himself on the wrong end of a surreal interrogation. But how can you prove you are innocent when the cops are crazy?

Keep an Eye Out

2018

Godard Mon Amour poster
6.6

In 1967, during the making of “La Chinoise,” film director Jean-Luc Godard falls in love with 19-year-old actress Anne Wiazemsky and marries her.

Godard Mon Amour

2017

La Classe américaine poster
7.6

George Abitbol, the classiest man in the world, dies tragically during a cruise. The director of an American newspaper, wondering about the meaning of these intriguing final words, asks his three best investigators, Dave, Peter and Steven, to solve the mystery. (Sixteen French actors dub scenes from various Warner Bros. films to create a parody of Citizen Kane, 1941.)

La Classe américaine

1993

Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché poster
7.2

The epic life story of Alice Guy-Blaché (1873–1968), a French screenwriter, director and producer, true pioneer of cinema, the first person who made a narrative fiction film; author of hundreds of movies, but banished from history books. Ignored and forgotten. At last remembered.

Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché

2018

Belmondo l'influenceur poster
8.4

No synopsis available yet.

Belmondo l'influenceur

2020

Jacky in the Kingdom of Women poster
5.6

In a country where women are in charge, a man goes to unusual lengths to make his dream of marrying the daughter of a military leader come true.

Jacky in the Kingdom of Women

2014

My Wife Is an Actress poster
6.1

A "normal" guy who is married to a hot actress gets worried that she is involved with her costar. This worry turns into jealousy and causes problems in their relationship. This is a story about trust and a comedy about the actions between men and women.

My Wife Is an Actress

2001

Fear City: A Family-Style Comedy poster
7.5

A second-class horror movie has to be shown at Cannes Film Festival, but, before each screening, the projectionist is killed by a mysterious fellow, with hammer and sickle, just as it happens in the film to be shown.

Fear City: A Family-Style Comedy

1994

Didier poster
6.1

Jean-Pierre Costa is a football manager upon whom fate appears not to be smiling. First, a friend, Annabelle, dumps a pet Labrador named Didier on him whilst she goes off to make a report in Los Angeles. Next, one of his star players is injured, leaving him one player short for a crucial match. As if things could not get any worse, Costa wakes up one morning to find that that Didier has been transformed into a man...

Didier

1997

The Extraordinary Voyage poster
7.7

An account of the extraordinary life of film pioneer Georges Méliès (1861-1938) and the amazing story of the copy in color of his masterpiece A Trip to the Moon (1902), unexpectedly found in Spain and restored thanks to the heroic efforts of a group of true cinema lovers.

The Extraordinary Voyage

2011

Baise-en-ville poster
6.6

Sprite, a 20-year-old young adult, returns to Chelles after a breakup. To pay for his driver’s license and please his parents, he joins Allo Nettoyo, a night-time cleaning start-up in the Paris suburbs. Unable to get around without a permit, he adopts the "baise-en-ville" technique—taught by his driving instructor—which involves spending the night at girls' places of girls he meets through a dating app. Sprite struggles with this new approach to seduction.

Baise-en-ville

2026

La Classe américaine poster
6.5

The story of the successful publicity campaign that made it possible for the French film The Artist (2011) to win five Academy Awards: an intimate look at what happens when a silent, black-and-white French film astounds Hollywood.

La Classe américaine

2012

Incredible But True poster
6.0

Alain and Marie moved to the suburb house of their dreams. But the real estate agent warned them: what is in the basement may well change their lives forever.

Incredible But True

2022

40 poster
7.0

To celebrate this anniversary, CANAL+ is presenting a special prime-time program titled “40.” It’s an opportunity to defy the passage of time by revisiting some of the defining moments of pop culture in general and CANAL+ in particular. More than sixty—that’s the number of talents, artists, and actors whom the channel has had the privilege of watching emerge, flourish, or grow, and who have reimagined in their own way the films, series, and short-form programs that have shaped our shared history since November 4, 1984. On the stage of the Folies Bergère, Antoine de Caunes gracefully and effortlessly bridges the gap between 1984 and 2024 to host this evening, which alternates between studio segments, pre-recorded footage, and live performances.

40

2024

The Artist: The Making of an American Romance poster
4.0

Documentary that delves into the film's production in good fashion

The Artist: The Making of an American Romance

2012

Reality poster
7.1

A wanna-be director is given 48 hours by a producer to find the best groan of pain, worthy of an Oscar, as the only condition to back his film.

Reality

2015

Hollywood as Character: The Locations of The Artist poster
2.0

This documentary details the L.A.-area filming locations used throughout the film.

Hollywood as Character: The Locations of The Artist

2012

I Love Peru poster
5.6

In the relentless pursuit of success, a quirky actor leaves behind his closest allies. Alone facing himself, he is struck by a disturbing vision. Off to Peru for a spiritual journey.

I Love Peru

2025

La mangeuse d’hommes poster
NR

Jeanne, an incorruptible and ambitious gendarme, finds herself embroiled in a dark web of intrigue between her superior, Chief Warrant Officer Paul Belmart, and the Gutowski brothers, members of the Vosges mafia, who have just stolen 50,000 francs.

La mangeuse d’hommes

2018

No artwork available
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Michel Hazanavicius raconte la grande histoire de « La Classe américaine »

2020

Delphine : 1, Yvan : 0 poster
5.6

C'est une histoire d'amour banale présentée comme un match de foot ordinaire. Ce sont donc Thierry Roland et Jean-Michel Larqué qui commentent, avec leurs mots (d'amour) et leurs noms (d'oiseaux), la première année de vie en couple de Delphine et Yvan, filmés pas à pas, dans leurs ébats et leurs éclats.

Delphine : 1, Yvan : 0

1996

La télé des Nuls poster
1.0

No synopsis available yet.

La télé des Nuls

2019

Cerfa poster
6.5

No synopsis available yet.

Cerfa

2025

Still Not... Breathless poster
NR

Documentary about the ongoing influence of 'Breathless' after 60 years

Still Not... Breathless

2020

Behind the camera

The Artist poster
7.4

Hollywood, 1927: As silent movie star George Valentin wonders if the arrival of talking pictures will cause him to fade into oblivion, he sparks with Peppy Miller, a young dancer set for a big break.

The Artist

2011

The Artist poster
7.4

Hollywood, 1927: As silent movie star George Valentin wonders if the arrival of talking pictures will cause him to fade into oblivion, he sparks with Peppy Miller, a young dancer set for a big break.

The Artist

2011

The Money Maker poster
7.1

A Polish engineer relocates to France and becomes a legendary counterfeiter. Working solo, he crafts flawless fake francs worth millions over 14 years, earning the nickname "Cézanne of counterfeit money" for his artistic skill and output.

The Money Maker

2026

The Lost Prince poster
5.7

Djibi lives alone with Sofia, his 8-year-old daughter. Every night, he invents a story to put him to sleep. When Sofia falls asleep, these extraordinary stories come to life somewhere in an imaginary world inhabited by knights, pirates and other dragons. In this world that belongs only to them, Sofia is always the princess to save, and the brave Prince is none other than Djibi himself. But 3 years later, the entry of Sofia to the college will mark the end of her childhood. To the despair of her father, she no longer needs her stories at night. On the one hand, Djibi will have to accept that his daughter will grow up and move away from him. On the other hand, in the World of Stories, the Prince will have to face the most epic of all his adventures. Find your destiny in a world where it no longer has a place.

The Lost Prince

2020

The Lost Prince poster
5.7

Djibi lives alone with Sofia, his 8-year-old daughter. Every night, he invents a story to put him to sleep. When Sofia falls asleep, these extraordinary stories come to life somewhere in an imaginary world inhabited by knights, pirates and other dragons. In this world that belongs only to them, Sofia is always the princess to save, and the brave Prince is none other than Djibi himself. But 3 years later, the entry of Sofia to the college will mark the end of her childhood. To the despair of her father, she no longer needs her stories at night. On the one hand, Djibi will have to accept that his daughter will grow up and move away from him. On the other hand, in the World of Stories, the Prince will have to face the most epic of all his adventures. Find your destiny in a world where it no longer has a place.

The Lost Prince

2020

Lucky Luke and the Daltons poster
3.6

Joe and Averell are the eldest and youngest of the four Dalton brothers, the worst outlaws in Wild West history...

Lucky Luke and the Daltons

2004

Godard Mon Amour poster
6.6

In 1967, during the making of “La Chinoise,” film director Jean-Luc Godard falls in love with 19-year-old actress Anne Wiazemsky and marries her.

Godard Mon Amour

2017

Godard Mon Amour poster
6.6

In 1967, during the making of “La Chinoise,” film director Jean-Luc Godard falls in love with 19-year-old actress Anne Wiazemsky and marries her.

Godard Mon Amour

2017

Godard Mon Amour poster
6.6

In 1967, during the making of “La Chinoise,” film director Jean-Luc Godard falls in love with 19-year-old actress Anne Wiazemsky and marries her.

Godard Mon Amour

2017

La Classe américaine poster
7.6

George Abitbol, the classiest man in the world, dies tragically during a cruise. The director of an American newspaper, wondering about the meaning of these intriguing final words, asks his three best investigators, Dave, Peter and Steven, to solve the mystery. (Sixteen French actors dub scenes from various Warner Bros. films to create a parody of Citizen Kane, 1941.)

La Classe américaine

1993

La Classe américaine poster
7.6

George Abitbol, the classiest man in the world, dies tragically during a cruise. The director of an American newspaper, wondering about the meaning of these intriguing final words, asks his three best investigators, Dave, Peter and Steven, to solve the mystery. (Sixteen French actors dub scenes from various Warner Bros. films to create a parody of Citizen Kane, 1941.)

La Classe américaine

1993

OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies poster
7.2

Set in 1955, French secret agent Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath/OSS 117 is sent to Cairo to investigate the disappearance of his best friend and fellow spy Jack Jefferson, only to stumble into a web of international intrigue.

OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies

2006

OSS 117: Lost in Rio poster
7.1

In 1967, OSS 117 is sent to Brazil in order to retrieve a microfilm list of French Nazi sympathizers, only to once again unknowingly set foot into a bigger international intrigue.

OSS 117: Lost in Rio

2009

OSS 117: Lost in Rio poster
7.1

In 1967, OSS 117 is sent to Brazil in order to retrieve a microfilm list of French Nazi sympathizers, only to once again unknowingly set foot into a bigger international intrigue.

OSS 117: Lost in Rio

2009

Final Cut poster
6.7

Things go badly for a small film crew shooting a low-budget zombie movie when they are attacked by real zombies.

Final Cut

2022

Final Cut poster
6.7

Things go badly for a small film crew shooting a low-budget zombie movie when they are attacked by real zombies.

Final Cut

2022

Final Cut poster
6.7

Things go badly for a small film crew shooting a low-budget zombie movie when they are attacked by real zombies.

Final Cut

2022

The Players poster
4.8

Eight short films explore the subject of male infidelity. Serial cheaters, Fred and Greg, spend a night on the town doing what they do best, and with absolutely no regrets. The duo play various characters in assorted extracurricular situations, ranging from sexist to the darker sides of carnal desires.

The Players

2012

The Most Precious of Cargoes poster
7.7

Once upon a time, a poor woodcutter and his wife lived in a great forest. Cold, hunger, poverty, and a war raging all around them meant their lives were very hard. One day, the woodcutter's wife rescues a baby. A baby girl thrown from one of the many trains that constantly pass through the forest. This baby, this "most precious of cargoes", will transform the lives of the poor woodcutter's wife and her husband, as well as those whose paths the child will cross—including the man who threw her from the train. And some will try to protect her, whatever the cost. Their story will reveal the worst and the best in the hearts of men.

The Most Precious of Cargoes

2024

The Most Precious of Cargoes poster
7.7

Once upon a time, a poor woodcutter and his wife lived in a great forest. Cold, hunger, poverty, and a war raging all around them meant their lives were very hard. One day, the woodcutter's wife rescues a baby. A baby girl thrown from one of the many trains that constantly pass through the forest. This baby, this "most precious of cargoes", will transform the lives of the poor woodcutter's wife and her husband, as well as those whose paths the child will cross—including the man who threw her from the train. And some will try to protect her, whatever the cost. Their story will reveal the worst and the best in the hearts of men.

The Most Precious of Cargoes

2024

The Most Precious of Cargoes poster
7.7

Once upon a time, a poor woodcutter and his wife lived in a great forest. Cold, hunger, poverty, and a war raging all around them meant their lives were very hard. One day, the woodcutter's wife rescues a baby. A baby girl thrown from one of the many trains that constantly pass through the forest. This baby, this "most precious of cargoes", will transform the lives of the poor woodcutter's wife and her husband, as well as those whose paths the child will cross—including the man who threw her from the train. And some will try to protect her, whatever the cost. Their story will reveal the worst and the best in the hearts of men.

The Most Precious of Cargoes

2024

La Classe américaine poster
6.5

The story of the successful publicity campaign that made it possible for the French film The Artist (2011) to win five Academy Awards: an intimate look at what happens when a silent, black-and-white French film astounds Hollywood.

La Classe américaine

2012

The Search poster
6.8

A woman who works for a non-governmental organization (NGO) forms a special relationship with a young boy in war-torn Chechnya.

The Search

2014

The Search poster
6.8

A woman who works for a non-governmental organization (NGO) forms a special relationship with a young boy in war-torn Chechnya.

The Search

2014