Claude Chabrol

Claude Chabrol, a pillar of the French New Wave who emerged in the late 1950s alongside Jean-Luc Godard and François Truffaut, began his career as a critic for Cahiers du cinéma before directing his first film, Le Beau Serge, in 1958. Thrillers, marked by a cool, detached perspective, defined his oeuvre, with films like Les Biches and La Femme Infidèle establishing his reputation. Chabrol's collaboration with actress Stéphane Audran solidified his identity as a director of psychological suspense. His later work with Isabelle Huppert, beginning with Violette Nozière in 1978, showcased his enduring relevance and versatility, cementing his status as a prolific and influential filmmaker until his death in 2010.