Fanny Ardant
Encyclopedia
Fanny Marguerite Judith Ardant (born 22 March 1949) is a French actress. She has appeared in more than fifty motion pictures since 1976. Ardant won the César Award for Best Actress
in 1997 for her performance in Pédale douce
.
Maine-et-Loire
, France, to a military attaché
father. She grew up in Monaco
until age 17 when she moved to Aix-en-Provence
to study at the Institut d'études politiques d'Aix-en-Provence
. In her early twenties her interest turned to acting and in 1974 she made her first appearance on stage.
in La Femme d'à côté (The Woman Next Door). The film, directed by François Truffaut
, brought Ardant her first César Award
nomination for best actress in 1982 and in 1984 she was nominated again for Vivement dimanche!. Eventually she became Truffaut's companion, giving birth to their daughter, Joséphine Truffaut, on 28 September 1983. Initially, her youthful beauty brought popularity but over time her sophistication and acting skills have made her one of France's most admired actresses. She proved her versatility, playing a comedic role in Pédale douce for which she won the 1997 César Award for Best Actress
.
Fluent in English and Italian, Ardant has starred in several Hollywood and British films. Her most recent English-language film was the Franco Zeffirelli
production Callas Forever
, in which she portrayed opera diva
Maria Callas
. It opened the 14th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival on 9 January 2003. In 2003, Ardant received the Stanislavsky Award
at the Moscow International Film Festival
(for the outstanding achievement in the career of acting and devotion to the principles of Stanislavsky's school).
In 2009 she became a director and screenwriter, with Cendres et sang (Ashes and Blood
). In 2011 she starred in the music video for "Elle Me Dit
", the first French single by British singer Mika
.
In 2011 she plays The Year of Magical Thinking
by Joan Didion
in Théâtre de l'Atelier
, Paris
.
, ex leader of the militant
Red Brigades
(Brigate Rosse), saying that it was good of him to adhere to his principles. She later discovered that it would be difficult to attend a film festival in Venice, as her declaration had created much scandal in Italy. The Governor of Veneto said that he would prefer that Ardant not visit his region. She then pleaded for forgiveness from victims of terrorism.
César Award for Best Actress
List of winners and nominees of the César Award for Best Actress .-Winners and nominees:...
in 1997 for her performance in Pédale douce
Pédale douce
Pédale douce is a 1996 French film directed by Gabriel Aghion. Fanny Ardant won the 1997 César Award for Best Actress for her performance as Eva.- Plot :...
.
Early life
Ardant was born in SaumurSaumur
Saumur is a commune in the Maine-et-Loire department in western France.The historic town is located between the Loire and Thouet rivers, and is surrounded by the vineyards of Saumur itself, Chinon, Bourgueil, Coteaux du Layon, etc...
Maine-et-Loire
Maine-et-Loire
Maine-et-Loire is a department in west-central France, in the Pays de la Loire region.- History :Maine-et-Loire is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790. Originally it was called Mayenne-et-Loire, but its name was changed to Maine-et-Loire in 1791....
, France, to a military attaché
Military attaché
A military attaché is a military expert who is attached to a diplomatic mission . This post is normally filled by a high-ranking military officer who retains the commission while serving in an embassy...
father. She grew up in Monaco
Monaco
Monaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
until age 17 when she moved to Aix-en-Provence
Aix-en-Provence
Aix , or Aix-en-Provence to distinguish it from other cities built over hot springs, is a city-commune in southern France, some north of Marseille. It is in the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, in the département of Bouches-du-Rhône, of which it is a subprefecture. The population of Aix is...
to study at the Institut d'études politiques d'Aix-en-Provence
Institut d'études politiques d'Aix-en-Provence
The Institut d'études politiques d'Aix-en-Provence , also known as the Institut d'études politiques or "Sciences Po Aix", is a grande école in political sciences, established in 1956 in the premises of the former Faculty of Law of the Université de Provence, France...
. In her early twenties her interest turned to acting and in 1974 she made her first appearance on stage.
Career
By the early 1980s she was a major motion picture star, gaining international recognition for her role opposite Gérard DepardieuGérard Depardieu
Gérard Xavier Marcel Depardieu is a French actor and filmmaker. He is a Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur, Chevalier of the Ordre national du Mérite and has twice won the César Award for Best Actor...
in La Femme d'à côté (The Woman Next Door). The film, directed by François Truffaut
François Truffaut
François Roland Truffaut was an influential film critic and filmmaker and one of the founders of the French New Wave. In a film career lasting over a quarter of a century, he remains an icon of the French film industry. He was also a screenwriter, producer, and actor working on over twenty-five...
, brought Ardant her first César Award
César Award
The César Award is the national film award of France, first given out in 1975. The nominations are selected by the members of the Académie des arts et techniques du cinéma....
nomination for best actress in 1982 and in 1984 she was nominated again for Vivement dimanche!. Eventually she became Truffaut's companion, giving birth to their daughter, Joséphine Truffaut, on 28 September 1983. Initially, her youthful beauty brought popularity but over time her sophistication and acting skills have made her one of France's most admired actresses. She proved her versatility, playing a comedic role in Pédale douce for which she won the 1997 César Award for Best Actress
César Award for Best Actress
List of winners and nominees of the César Award for Best Actress .-Winners and nominees:...
.
Fluent in English and Italian, Ardant has starred in several Hollywood and British films. Her most recent English-language film was the Franco Zeffirelli
Franco Zeffirelli
Franco Zeffirelli KBE is an Italian director and producer of films and television. He is also a director and designer of operas and a former senator for the Italian center-right Forza Italia party....
production Callas Forever
Callas Forever
Callas Forever is a 2002 biographical film directed by Franco Zeffirelli, who co-wrote the screenplay with Martin Sherman. It is an homage to Zeffirelli's friend, internationally acclaimed opera diva Maria Callas, whom he directed on stage in Norma, La Traviata, and Tosca.- Plot :The partially...
, in which she portrayed opera diva
Diva
A diva is a celebrated female singer. The term is used to describe a woman of outstanding talent in the world of opera, and, by extension, in theatre, cinema and popular music. The meaning of diva is closely related to that of "prima donna"....
Maria Callas
Maria Callas
Maria Callas was an American-born Greek soprano and one of the most renowned opera singers of the 20th century. She combined an impressive bel canto technique, a wide-ranging voice and great dramatic gifts...
. It opened the 14th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival on 9 January 2003. In 2003, Ardant received the Stanislavsky Award
Stanislavsky Award
Stanislavski Award is a special prize awarded since 2001 at the Moscow International Film Festival for the outstanding achievement in the career of acting and devotion to the principles of Stanislavski's school .-Winners:* 2001 - Jack...
at the Moscow International Film Festival
Moscow International Film Festival
Moscow International Film Festival , is the film festival first held in Moscow in 1959. From its inception to 1995 it was held every second year in July, alternating with the Karlovy Vary festival. The festival has been held annually since 1995....
(for the outstanding achievement in the career of acting and devotion to the principles of Stanislavsky's school).
In 2009 she became a director and screenwriter, with Cendres et sang (Ashes and Blood
Ashes and Blood
Ashes and Blood is a 2009 French drama film directed by Fanny Ardant. It was given a special screening at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.-Plot:...
). In 2011 she starred in the music video for "Elle Me Dit
Elle me dit
"Elle me dit" is a French single from British singer-songwriter Mika's upcoming album, The Origin of Love. A 12-second preview was published online on the morning of 1 July 2011. The full-length song was published that afternoon. The single was released on the French iTunes Store on 11 July 2011....
", the first French single by British singer Mika
Mika (singer)
Mika is a British singer-songwriter.After recording his first extended play, Dodgy Holiday EP, Mika released his first full-length studio album, Life in Cartoon Motion, on Island Records in 2007. Life in Cartoon Motion sold more than 5.6 million copies worldwide and helped Mika win a Brit...
.
In 2011 she plays The Year of Magical Thinking
The Year of Magical Thinking
The Year of Magical Thinking , by Joan Didion , is an account of the year following the death of the author's husband John Gregory Dunne . Published by Knopf in October 2005, the book was immediately acclaimed as a classic in the genre of mourning literature...
by Joan Didion
Joan Didion
Joan Didion is an American author best known for her novels and her literary journalism. Her novels and essays explore the disintegration of American morals and cultural chaos, where the overriding theme is individual and social fragmentation...
in Théâtre de l'Atelier
Théâtre de l'Atelier
The Théâtre de l'Atelier is a theater at 1, place Charles Dullin in the 18th arrondissement of Paris.-History:Opened on November 23, 1822 under the name Théâtre Montmartre this theater was one of the first built by Pierre-Jacques Seveste, who held the license to operate theaters outside the town...
, Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
.
Controversy
She once expressed admiration for Renato CurcioRenato Curcio
Renato Curcio is the former leader of the Italian left-wing militant organization, the Red Brigades .-Background:...
, ex leader of the militant
Militant
The word militant, which is both an adjective and a noun, usually is used to mean vigorously active, combative and aggressive, especially in support of a cause, as in 'militant reformers'. It comes from the 15th century Latin "militare" meaning "to serve as a soldier"...
Red Brigades
Red Brigades
The Red Brigades was a Marxist-Leninist terrorist organisation, based in Italy, which was responsible for numerous violent incidents, assassinations, and robberies during the so-called "Years of Lead"...
(Brigate Rosse), saying that it was good of him to adhere to his principles. She later discovered that it would be difficult to attend a film festival in Venice, as her declaration had created much scandal in Italy. The Governor of Veneto said that he would prefer that Ardant not visit his region. She then pleaded for forgiveness from victims of terrorism.
Filmography
- Les chiensLes ChiensLes Chiens are a Canadian indie rock band from Quebec. The name of the group means The dogs. Les Chiens is also the title of a 1979 film featuring Gérard Depardieu.-Discography:*2000: Nuit Dérobée *2002: Music-Hall 2001...
(1979) - Les Uns et les AutresLes Uns et les AutresLes Uns et les Autres is a 1981 French film by Claude Lelouch. The film is a musical epic and it is widely considered as the director's best work with Un Homme et une Femme. It won the Technical Grand Prize at the 1981 Cannes Film Festival. In the United States, it was distributed under the name...
(1981) - The Woman Next Door (1981)
- Desiderio (1983)
- Confidentially YoursConfidentially YoursConfidentially Yours is a 1983 French film directed by François Truffaut. It is based on the novel The Long Saturday Night, by the American author Charles Williams, and was Truffaut's last film...
(1983) - Benvenuta by André Delvaux (1983)
- La vie est un romanLife Is a Bed of RosesLife Is a Bed of Roses is a 1983 French film directed by Alain Resnais from a screenplay by Jean Gruault. The English-language distribution title of the film is Life Is a Bed of Roses, though it has also been known as Forbek's Castle and Life Is a Fairy Tale...
(1983) - L'amour à mortL'amour à mortL'amour à mort is a 1984 film directed by Alain Resnais.The film was shot in Uzès, Gard, in the south of France.-Cast:* Sabine Azéma - Elisabeth Sutter* Fanny Ardant - Judith Martignac* Pierre Arditi - Simon Roche...
(1984) - Swann in LoveUn amour de Swann (film)Un amour de Swann is a 1984 Franco-German film directed by Volker Schlöndorff. Its screenplay is largely inspired by the novel of the same name by Marcel Proust....
(1984) - Next Summer (1986)
- MéloMéloMélo is a 1929 play by Henri Bernstein.It was first filmed in 1932 by Paul Czinner.The better-known 1986 French film based on the play was directed by Alain Resnais, and starred Fanny Ardant, André Dussollier, Sabine Azéma and Pierre Arditi...
- Conseil De FamilleConseil de FamilleConseil de Famille is a French institution for the protection of the interests of minors. By the Code Civil it is composed of seven members. The local justice of the peace is the presiding officer. The other six members must be relations of the minor, chosen from the mothers and fathers side of...
(1986) - La Famiglia (The Family) (1987)
- Love and FearLove and FearLove and Fear is a 1988 drama film directed by Margarethe von Trotta. It was entered into the 1988 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:* Fanny Ardant as Velia* Greta Scacchi as Maria* Valeria Golino as Sandra Parini* Peter Simonischek as Massimo...
(1988) - AustraliaAustralia (1989 film)-Cast:* Fanny Ardant as Jeanne Gauthier* Jeremy Irons as Edouard Pierson* Tchéky Karyo as Julien Pierson* Agnès Soral as Agnès Deckers* Hélène Surgère as Odette Pierson* Maxime Laloux as François Gauthier* Patrick Bauchau as André Gauthier...
(1989) - Afraid of the DarkAfraid of the DarkAfraid of the Dark is a 1991 French-British drama film directed by Mark Peploe and starring James Fox, Fanny Ardant and Paul McGann. A boy becomes convinced there is a murderer about as his mind begins to confuse reality and delusion.-Cast:...
(1991) - Nothing But LiesNothing But LiesNothing But Lies is a 1991 French-Swiss drama film directed by Paule Muret. It was entered into the 42nd Berlin International Film Festival.-Cast:* Fanny Ardant as Muriel* Alain Bashung as Adrien* Jacques Perrin as Antoine, mari de Muriel...
(1992) - Colonel ChabertLe Colonel Chabert (1994 film)Le Colonel Chabert is a 1994 film directed by Yves Angelo and starring Gérard Depardieu, Fanny Ardant, and Fabrice Luchini...
(1994) - SabrinaSabrina (1995 film)Sabrina is a 1995 romantic comedy-drama film adapted by Barbara Benedek and David Rayfiel, based on the 1954 screenplay of the same name, which in turn was based upon a play titled Sabrina Fair....
(1995) - Beyond the CloudsBeyond the Clouds (1995 film)Beyond the Clouds is a 1995 Italian-French-German film directed by Michelangelo Antonioni and Wim Wenders.- Plot :Four stories of love and illusion are told from the perspective of a wandering film director. In the first story, two beautiful young lovers are unable to consummate their passion...
(1995) - DésiréDésiré (film)Désiré is a 1996 French film directed by Bernard Murat. The film is based on the play of the same name by Sacha Guitry....
(1996) - Pédale doucePédale doucePédale douce is a 1996 French film directed by Gabriel Aghion. Fanny Ardant won the 1997 César Award for Best Actress for her performance as Eva.- Plot :...
(1996) - RidiculeRidiculeRidicule is a 1996 French film set in the 18th century at the decadent court of Versailles, where social status can rise and fall based on one's ability to mete out witty insults and avoid ridicule oneself...
(1996) - La cena (1998)
- Elizabeth (1998)
- Augustin, roi du Kung-fu (1999) – Herself
- La débandade (1999)
- Balzac: A Life of Passion (1999)
- Le fils du français (1999)
- Sin noticias de Dios (2001)
- Change moi ma vie (2001)
- Le LibertinLe LibertinLe Libertin is a French film, a comedy, directed by Gabriel Aghion, released in 2000. It is an adaptation of a 1997 play by Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt.-Synopsis:...
(2001) - No News from God (Sin noticias de Dios) (2002)
- 8 Women8 femmes8 Women is a 2002 French musical comedy murder-mystery film, directed by François Ozon and based on the play by Robert Thomas. The film was known as 8 femmes to distinguish it from the 1972 play entitled Huit femmes.- Plot :...
(2002) - Callas ForeverCallas ForeverCallas Forever is a 2002 biographical film directed by Franco Zeffirelli, who co-wrote the screenplay with Martin Sherman. It is an homage to Zeffirelli's friend, internationally acclaimed opera diva Maria Callas, whom he directed on stage in Norma, La Traviata, and Tosca.- Plot :The partially...
(2002) - Nathalie...Nathalie...Nathalie... is a 2004 French film directed by Anne Fontaine, and starring Fanny Ardant, Emmanuelle Béart, and Gérard Depardieu. It is distributed by Koch-Lorber Films.-Plot:...
(2003) - L'Odeur du sang (2004)
- El Año del diluvio (2004)
- Emeth (2006)
- Paris, je t'aimeParis, je t'aimeParis, Je t'aime is a 2006 anthology film starring an ensemble cast of actors of various nationalities. The two-hour film consists of eighteen short films set in different arrondissements...
(2006) - La chambre d'ami (2006)
- Bord Cadre (2006)
- Le Beau MondeLe beau MondeLe beau Monde , opus 199, is the name of a quadrille composed by Johann Strauss II, written in 1857, while Strauss was conducting a tour of Russia with his orchestra. The work exudes the authentic musical flavour of Russia, and the St...
(2006) - Roman de gareRoman de GareCrossed Tracks is a 2007 French film directed by Claude Lelouch. The film follows a novelist, her ghost writer, and a wayward young woman as a chance encounter at a rest stop interrupts the delicate balance of their lives. French actor Dominique Pinon received wide praise for his rare turn as the...
(2007) - L'Ora di Punta (2007)
- The Secrets (2007)
- Hello GoodbyeHello Goodbye (film)Hello Goodbye is a 2008 French language romantic-dramedy film directed by Graham Guit. The film stars Gerard Depardieu and Fanny Ardant. The film is set in both Israel and France and follows the life of a Jewish couple who try to discover their true identity, their roots and the meaning of being...
(2008) - Il DivoIl Divo (film)Il Divo is a 2008 Italian biographical drama film directed by Paolo Sorrentino. It is based on the figure of former Italian Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti. It competed at the Cannes Film Festival in 2008, where it was awarded the Jury Prize...
(2008) - Ashes and BloodAshes and BloodAshes and Blood is a 2009 French drama film directed by Fanny Ardant. It was given a special screening at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.-Plot:...
(2009) - You Never Left (2010)
Television
- Le Mutant (1978)
- La Muse et la Madone (1979)
- Ego (1979)
- Les Dames de la côte (1979)
- Les Bons bourgeois (1981)
- Le Chef de famille (1982)
- Sarah (2003)
César Awards
| Year | Group | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | César Awards | Best Actress | Pédale douce Pédale douce Pédale douce is a 1996 French film directed by Gabriel Aghion. Fanny Ardant won the 1997 César Award for Best Actress for her performance as Eva.- Plot :... |
Won |
| Year | Group | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | César Awards | Best Actress | The Woman Next Door (La Femme d'à côté) | Nominated |
| 1984 | César Awards | Best Actress | Confidentially Yours (Vivement dimanche !) Confidentially Yours Confidentially Yours is a 1983 French film directed by François Truffaut. It is based on the novel The Long Saturday Night, by the American author Charles Williams, and was Truffaut's last film... |
Nominated |
| 2002 | César Awards | Best Actress | 8 Women (8 Femmes)) | Nominated |
Molière Awards
| Year | Group | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Molière Award Molière Award The Molière Award is the national theatre award of France decided by the Association professionnelle et artistique du théâtre and given out every April or May since 1987, during a ceremony called La Nuit des Molières . The award was created by Georges Cravenne, who was also the creator of the... s |
Best Actress | L'Aide-mémoire | Nominated |
| 1997 | Molière Awards | Best Actress | Master Class Master Class Master Class is a play by Terrence McNally, with incidental music by Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini, and Vincenzo Bellini.The play originally was staged by the Philadelphia Theatre Company and the Mark Taper Forum. After twelve previews, the Broadway production, directed by Leonard Foglia, opened... |
Nominated |