Photo: Manfred Werner - Tsui / CC BY-SA 3.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Olivier Assayas is a screenwriter, film director and film critic, born on January 25, 1955 in 15th arrondissement of Paris, France. That puts Olivier Assayas at 71 years old in 2026. Listed accolades include Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Foreign Language Film (2009), New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Foreign Language Film (2010), National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Foreign Language Film (2010) and 2 more.
My Take
Olivier Assayas is, to me, one of the most intellectually alive filmmakers working today. A Parisian who came up as a critic before directing, he carries that analytical eye into everything he makes, and it shows in the intelligence of his films. What I admire most is his range: period dramas, psychological thrillers, neo-noir and comedy, made fluidly across French, English and Spanish. His Cannes Best Director prize and shelf of critics' awards confirm the consensus, but for me the appeal is simpler. He makes films like someone who genuinely loves cinema, and that restless curiosity keeps every project surprising.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Olivier Assayas
- Name (Japanese)
- オリヴィエ・アサヤス
- Reading
- おりゔぃえ・あさやす
- Born
- January 25, 1955 (age 71)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Aquarius / Goat
- Origin
- 15th arrondissement of Paris, France
- Occupation
- screenwriter / film director / film critic
2. Background
Awards & achievements
- 2009 Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Foreign Language Film
- 2010 New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Foreign Language Film
- 2010 National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Foreign Language Film
- 2014 Louis Delluc Prize
- 2016 Cannes Best Director Award
3. Links
4. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-21
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Olivier Assayas born?
Born January 25, 1955 (age 71).
Where is Olivier Assayas from?
Olivier Assayas is from 15th arrondissement of Paris, France.
What does Olivier Assayas do?
Olivier Assayas works as screenwriter, film director, film critic.
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