Alain Corneau

Born: August 7 1943
Where: Orleans, France

The jazz musician and director won two Cesars - French Oscars - for the 1997 romantic drama Tous Les Matins Du Monde with Gerard Depardieu.

He has also been nominated on no less than seven occasions - Fear And Trembing (best writing), Le Cousin (best writing and directing), Nocturne Indien (best film and director) and Tous Les Matins Du Monde (best writing).

Before embarking on a film career, he travelled around America as a jazz musician and later went on to score his own films.

A graduate of directing and editing, Corneau has worked as an assistant director for Costa-Gavras, Roger Corman and Marcel Camus before directing the film, France Société Anonyme, in 1973.

Known for his detective thrillers, he then went on to helm Police Python 357, La Menace and Série Noire.

Subsequent movies include Le Choix Des Armes, Fort Saganne, Le Môme, Nocturne Indien in 1989 and Tous Les Matins Du Monde.

Recent work includes the comedy of Japanese manners Fear And Trembling with Sylvie Testud.