ZIDI, CLAUDE

(1934- )

Director, producer, and screenwriter. Claude Zidi studied at theLouis LumièreSchool and later worked as a camera operator forClaude Chabrol. Although comedy is the most popular film genre in France, French comedies rarely receive the country's most prestigious awards. Zidi's police comedyLes Ripoux(1984), starringPhilippe NoiretandThierry Lhermitte, is one exception. It won ZidiCésarAwards for Best Film and Best Director. Although the sequel,Les ripoux contre Ripoux(1990), did not receive major awards, it, too, was a box-office success. To date, Zidi'sAstérix et Obélix contre César(1999), derived from the famous French comic book series by Alberto Uderzo and Rene Goscinny, is the most expensive French film ever made.It features the French comedy starChristian Clavierand megastarGérard Depardieu. The majority of Zidi's films are comedies. His only drama to date isDeux(1989). His first films wereLes bidasses en folie(1971),Les fous du stade(1972),Le grand bazar(1973),Les bidasses s'en vont en guerre(1974),La Moutarde me monte au nez(1974), andLa Course à l'échalote(1975). HisL'Aile ou la cuisse(1976) pairs two of France's most celebrated comedians of their time,Louis de FunèsandColuche. It was followed byL'animal(1977),La Zizanie(1978), andBête,mais discipliné(1979). Coluche reappeared inInspecteur la Bavure(1980) andBanzaï(1983). In addition to theLes RipouxandLes bidassessequels, Zidi made the popularLes Sous-doués(1980) and its sequel,Les Sous-doués en vacances(1982). Both featureDaniel Auteuil. Noiret and Lhermitte were paired again forRipoux 3. Zidi has also directedLes rois du gag(1985),Association de mal-faiteurs(1987),La Totale! (1991),Profil bas(1993),Arlette(1997), andLa Boîte(2001).