In 1977, a young Luc Besson applied to La Fémis, France's prestigious national film school, and met with an unexpected rejection. Besson, then only 18 years old, recounts that during the preliminary interview he was asked which directors he admired most and named Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and Miloš Forman. But the interviewer cut him off before he had finished, ending the meeting with 'Enough. I don't think you belong here.' This event became a turning point in Besson's career; despite never receiving a film education, he went on to forge his own path and become a director known around the world.
Luc Besson frequently casts Gary Oldman in his films; the friendship between the two goes far beyond their professional collaborations. Besson reinforced this closeness by producing 'Nil by Mouth' (1997), the widely acclaimed film that Oldman directed. Productions the two worked on together, such as 'Leon' and 'The Fifth Element' (1997), left their mark on cinema history and hold an important place in Oldman's career. This collaboration is one of the clearest examples of both Besson's directorial vision and Oldman's acting talent.
Luc Besson refuses to give interviews or record audio commentaries for the DVD releases of his films. The reason behind this stance is his belief that such extras diminish a film's effect on the viewer. According to Besson, a film is a whole in itself, and the director's explanations can weaken the personal bond the viewer forms with it. For this reason, when watching his films, you are encouraged to form your own interpretation rather than learning the director's intentions directly.
Luc Besson's childhood was spent in Mediterranean and Balkan regions such as Greece, Bulgaria and the former Yugoslavia, where his parents worked as diving instructors for Club Med. This mobile life brought him into early contact with the sea and with different cultures. The traces of Besson's fondness for water and exotic locations in his cinema are rooted in these childhood experiences. These influences are clearly visible in films such as 'The Big Blue' (1988).
When Luc Besson was 9 years old, he spent five months with his family at a resort on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast. His parents worked at a sports centre there, diving and exploring the coastal caves. This period strengthened Besson's bond with the sea and gave him unforgettable memories. Yet as an adult, he has admitted that he avoids returning to that coast for fear of spoiling those beautiful memories. This emotional approach shows the value he places on his childhood memories and his attachment to the past.
Jean-Pierre Melville, one of the key figures of French cinema, left a deep impression on Luc Besson. After watching Melville's masterpiece 'Le Samouraï' (1967), Besson decided to make his own cult film 'Léon: The Professional' (1994). Melville's minimalist storytelling and anti-hero characters are clearly felt in that film. This influence played an important role in shaping Besson's cinematic language and made him one of the most distinctive directors of his generation.
In 2002, Luc Besson was involved in a case in which he was placed under investigation for involuntary manslaughter. The case concerned the death of a cameraman during the 1999 shoot of 'Taxi 2' (2000), which Besson produced, when a car struck him during a chase scene. The investigation opened by the Paris prosecutor on 4 June 2002 once again brought to the fore how critical safety measures on film sets are. This tragic event took its place as a dark chapter in Besson's career.
Luc Besson's childhood dream was to become a marine biologist; however, an accident he had at the age of 17 prevented him from realising that dream. The accident radically changed his relationship with the water and led him to stay away from the sea. Even so, it became a turning point that steered him towards cinema. Besson conveyed his passion for the water and his disappointment aesthetically to audiences in films such as 'The Big Blue' (1988).
Alongside his film career, Luc Besson also made significant contributions to children's literature. He wrote four 'Arthur' children's books, including 'Arthur and the Minimoys'; the series achieved great success, selling more than 1 million copies in over 30 countries. Besson later adapted the book series into films, uniting his literary and cinematic worlds. These adaptations showed that he is a versatile artist with a command of different forms of storytelling.
In 2000, Luc Besson served as president of the jury for the 'Official Competition' section of the 53rd Cannes International Film Festival. This prestigious role reinforced his standing and authority in the film world. The Cannes Film Festival is regarded as one of the most important meeting points of world cinema; Besson's serving as jury president there is an indication of his international reputation.
Two of Luc Besson's films had the honour of opening the Cannes International Film Festival, one of the world's most prestigious film festivals. The first was 'The Big Blue' (1988) and the second was 'The Fifth Element' (1997). That a director opened Cannes with two different films shows his influence in the film world and how highly his productions are regarded internationally. These films are proof of how ambitious Besson's work is in both visual and narrative terms.
Luc Besson frequently said over the years that he would quit directing after making 10 films. But when 'Arthur and the Invisibles' (2006) became his tenth directing effort, he did not keep that promise and continued his career. This shows how strong his passion for cinema and his desire to tell stories really is. With this decision, Besson proved that directing is not just a job for him but a way of life.
Luc Besson's private life has been quite colorful and eventful, as he has five children from three different women. This reflects his effort to strike a balance between his personal and professional life. Besson has always kept his relationship with his children at the forefront and played an active role in raising them. This large family structure has brought both richness and responsibility to his life.
Luc Besson is called the John Hughes of action cinema; this comparison stems from the fact that he writes and produces far more films than he directs. While Hughes was known for teen comedies, Besson has shown similar productivity in the action genre. This title emphasizes his versatility in the industry and his contribution to different projects. By supporting both his own films and other people's projects, Besson has become an important figure in the world of cinema.
Luc Besson has a puppet resembling him on 'Les Guignols de l'info' (1988), the French television puppet show that satirizes famous names. However, this puppet is rarely used on the program. This shows Besson's place in popular culture and how he is treated with a humorous tone. The puppet's rare use may be related to Besson's preference not to appear too much in the media.
Luc Besson has three children with his wife Virginie Besson-Silla: his daughter Thalia, born on August 1, 2001, his daughter Satine, born in May 2003, and his son Mao, born on September 16, 2005. These children are part of Besson's happiness in his family life. Despite his intense work pace, Besson takes care to make time for his family and plays an active role in raising his children.
Luc Besson served as president of the 'Official Competition' jury at the 32nd Moscow International Film Festival, held in 2010. This duty once again confirmed his reputation in the international film community. The Moscow Film Festival is regarded as one of the important events of world cinema; Besson's serving as jury president there shows his connection with filmmakers from different cultures and that he has a universal perspective.
Luc Besson has a daughter named Juliette, born in 1987, from his former wife Anne Parillaud. Parillaud starred in Besson's film 'Nikita' (1990) and gained international fame with that film. This relationship holds an important place in Besson's life, both personally and professionally. Juliette grew up as part of her father's legacy in the world of cinema.
Luc Besson was once in a relationship with the French director and actress Maïwenn. A daughter named Shanna was born from this relationship in 1993. Maïwenn later achieved significant success in her own directing career. This union is part of the complex web of relationships in Besson's private life and shows how wide his artistic circle is.
Luc Besson has openly expressed his lack of interest in video games and the superhero genre. This statement shows how far his understanding of cinema is from these popular genres. Besson tends more toward character-driven and visually ambitious stories; this reflects his desire to step outside the conventions of genre cinema. This attitude has helped him preserve the originality and artistic stance of his cinema.