Photo: Foto: Jonn Leffmann / CC BY 3.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
To me, Bille August belongs to a rarefied club. Winning the Palme d'Or twice puts him among only ten directors in history, and that alone demands respect. What I admire most, though, is his restraint. Pelle the Conqueror and The Best Intentions aren't loud films; they let silence and long takes carry enormous emotional weight, the cold Nordic light wrapped around aching human warmth. The fact that Ingmar Bergman trusted him with an autobiographical script speaks volumes. August is a craftsman who never chases spectacle, and that quiet confidence is exactly why his work endures for me.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Bille August
- Name (Japanese)
- ビレ・アウグスト
- Reading
- びれ・あうぐすと
- Born
- November 9, 1948 (age 77)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Scorpio / Rat
- Origin
- Brede, Denmark
- Blood type
- Private
- Height
- Private
- Agency
- Private
- Occupation
- film director / screenwriter / cinematographer / photographer / director
2. Background
- Elementary school
- Private
- Junior high
- Private
- High school
- Private
- University
- Private
Awards & achievements
- 1984 LO's kulturpris
- 1993 The Amanda Committee's Honorary Award
- 1993 Honorary craftsman
- Statens Kunstfonds hædersydelse
- 2015 Den Spillende Faun
- 1988 Palme d'Or
- 1992 Palme d'Or
- 1992 Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog
3. Relationships
- Spouse
- Private
- Children
- Private
- Parents
- Private
- Siblings
- Private
4. Personality
Motto
Private
5. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | Pelle the Conqueror | — | |
| Notable work | The Best Intentions | — |
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was Bille August born?
Born November 9, 1948 (age 77).
Where is Bille August from?
Bille August is from Brede, Denmark.
What does Bille August do?
Bille August works as film director, screenwriter, cinematographer, photographer, director.
What is Bille August known for?
Notable works include Pelle the Conqueror, The Best Intentions.
Film director — see all → · Screenwriter — see all → · More people from Denmark →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-21
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public items are marked "Private / Unknown". English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.