The film director discussed France, Hollywood and beyond.
Luc Besson and Edward Smith (FACT magazine CEO and Publisher)
A Luc Besson action hero hits differently. The award-winning French film director is famous for his brazen characters, from secret agents to strong female leads – a 12-year-old girl looking to avenge her dead parents, anyone? Now, he is set to release his latest film, Dracula: A Love Tale. FACT met Luc at the Megacampus Summit Dubai, and he talked to us about directing, dining and Dubai.
Born in Paris, France, Luc’s parents were scuba divers and he spent his childhood travelling to resorts. He visited Italy, Greece and Yugoslavia, and planned to become a marine biologist. After an accident, he switched his fins for films.
In 1983, Luc Besson released his directorial debut, Le Dernier Combat. His filmography includes La Femme Nikita, The Big Blue, The Fifth Element and Leon: The Professional. He has worked with Gary Oldman, Milla Jovovich and Natalie Portman, and won accolades ranging from the Cesar Award to Lumieres Award. Now, Dracula: A Love Tale stars Caleb Landry Jones, Matilda De Angelis and Christopher Waltz. Set in London, it tells the story of a 15th-century prince who becomes a vampire.
From France to Hollywood
Following a career spanning five decades, Luc Besson reflects: “I’ve absorbed films from all cultures: American, French, Japanese and Italian. It’s pop culture. Was I raised on Truffaut and Godard? No. I didn’t have a TV until I was 16 years old, and I started going to the cinema at 17 years old. I had no references. When I made my first film at 19 or 20 years old, a journalist referenced three films, which were supposedly the inspiration. I hadn’t seen any of them. I had to buy a DVD player, and watch the films.”
Luc has created films in English and French, and worked in Hollywood and France. He bridges the gap between the American action genre and French auteurs. Over his career, films have gone from cinema to streaming. He laments: “It saddens me but it’s understandable. The turning point was Covid-19. People consumed fast food entertainment, and convincing them to return to MICHELIN-Starred experiences became challenging.
read more on FACT magazine.
https://www.factmagazines.com/entertainment/fact-chats-luc-besson-on-directing-dining-and-dubai
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