LECONTE, PATRICE

(1947- )

Director and screenwriter. Patrice Leconte studied at theInstitut des Hautes Études Cinématographiques(IDHEC), worked as a cartoonist for the magazinePilote, and directed shorts before making feature-length films. His first feature films were comedies, beginning withLes vécés étaient fermés de l'interieur(1976), which starred Jean Rochefort andColuche. He worked with actors from the Troupe du Splendid— among themJosiane Balasko, Michel Blanc, Marie-Anne Chazel,Christian Clavier,Gérard Jugnot, andThierry Lhermitte—to makeLes bronzés(1978) andLes bronzés font du ski(1979), two comedies about the French Club Med.He won Césars for Best Film and Best Director for his costume drama,Ridicule, in 1997. His feautureTandem(1987), the thrillerMonsieur Hire(1987), andLe mari de la coiffeuse(1990) were nominated for Césars for Best Director and Best Film. He was nominated for a Golden Palm at Cannes forMonsieur Hireand for a Golden Palm and an Oscar for Best Foreign Film forRidicule. His other features includeViens chez moi,j'habite chez une copine(1981),Ma femme s'appelle reviens(1982),Circulez,y'a rien à voir(1983),Les spécialistes(1985),Tango(1993),Le parfum d'Yvonne(1994),Les grands ducs(1996),1 chance sur 2(1998),La fille sur le pont(1999),La veuve de Saint-Pierre(2000),Félix et Lola(2001),Rue des plaisirs(2002),L'homme du train(2002),Confidences trop intimes(2004), andDogora-ouvrons les yeux(2004), a musical documentary. He revisits his "Bronzés" motif withLes Bronzés 3:amis pour la vie(2005).