Michel Audiard (1920–1985, France)

Michel Audiard remains one of France’s most beloved screenwriters and directors, famous for his razor-sharp dialogue, irreverent humor, and unforgettable one-liners that have become part of French popular culture.

Born in 1920 in Paris, Audiard had a gift for capturing the voice of the common man, the crook, the cop, the dreamer — always with a mix of tenderness and irony. His films and scripts are filled with colorful characters, street-smart wisdom, and a kind of poetry that only Audiard could deliver.

Why revisit his work in this early 21st century? Because in a world saturated with fast-paced, action-heavy films, Audiard offers something refreshing: the power of words. His characters talk, they argue, they charm — and through their banter, they reveal the absurdities of life.

His films remind us that cinema isn’t just about what happens, but how it’s said. Audiard’s world is one where language is a weapon, a shield, and sometimes a dance.

In these times, when subtle humor and clever writing are often drowned out by explosions and CGI, Michel Audiard’s films feel like a breath of fresh air. They invite us to slow down, to listen, and to laugh at the quirks of human nature.

Five films to (re)discover:

• 🎬 Les Tontons Flingueurs (1963)

• 🎬 Un Singe en Hiver (1962)

• 🎬 Mélodie en sous-sol (1963)

• 🎬 Le Président (1961)

• 🎬 Faut pas prendre les enfants du bon Dieu pour des canards sauvages (1968)