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Luc Besson filmography
Luc Besson filmography
Luc Besson filmography
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Luc Besson is a French film director, writer and producer. He has contributed to many projects as either writer, director, producer, or a combination of the three.

Films

[edit]

As director

[edit]
Year Film Credited as Rotten Tomatoes Notes
Director Writer Producer
1981 L'Avant Dernier Yes Yes Yes Short film
1983 Le Dernier Combat Yes Yes Yes 70%
1985 Subway Yes Yes Yes 75%
1988 The Big Blue Yes Yes Yes 63% Co-producer (uncredited)
1990 La Femme Nikita Yes Yes Yes 88%
1991 Atlantis[I] Yes Yes Yes
1994 Léon: The Professional Yes Yes Yes 74% Co-producer (uncredited)
1997 The Fifth Element Yes Yes No 71%
1999 The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc Yes Yes Yes 30% Co-producer
2005 Angel-A Yes Yes Yes 44%
2006 Arthur and the Minimoys Yes Yes Yes 21%
2009 Arthur and the Revenge of Maltazard Yes Yes Yes 14%
2010 The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec Yes Yes Yes 83% Associate producer
Arthur 3: The War of the Two Worlds Yes Yes Yes 20%
2011 The Lady Yes No No 33%
2013 The Family (also known as Malavita) Yes Yes Yes 29%
2014 Lucy Yes Yes Yes 66%
2015 Save Kids Lives[1] Yes No No
2017 Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets Yes Yes Yes 48%
2019 Anna Yes Yes Yes 33%
2023 Dogman Yes Yes Yes 62%
2025 June and John Yes Yes No
Dracula Yes Yes No 73%
  1. ^ Also credited as cinematographer and film editor.
  2. ^ Credited as camera operator.

As writer and producer

[edit]
Year Film Credited as Rotten Tomatoes Notes
Writer Producer
1986 Kamikaze Yes Yes
1991 Cold Moon No Yes
1997 Nil by Mouth No Yes 65%
1998 Taxi Yes Yes
2000 Trasgredire (also known as Cheeky) No Yes
Taxi 2 Yes Yes
The Dancer Yes Yes
2001 Yamakasi Yes No
15 August No Yes
Kiss of the Dragon Yes Yes 51%
Wasabi Yes Yes 43%
2002 Chaos and Desire No Yes 56%
The Transporter Yes Yes 54%
2003 Ong-Bak No Yes 86% Executive producer (uncredited)
Taxi 3 Yes Yes
I, Cesar No Yes Co-producer (uncredited)
Fanfan la Tulipe Yes Yes 17%
Les Côtelettes No Yes
Michel Vaillant Yes Yes Co-producer (uncredited)
2004 Crimson Rivers II: Angels of the Apocalypse Yes No
À ton image No Yes Associate producer (uncredited)
Taxi No Yes 10%
District 13 Yes Yes 80%
2005 Unleashed (also known as Danny the Dog) Yes Yes 65%
Bunker Paradise No Yes
Imposture No Yes
The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada No Yes 85%
Transporter 2 Yes Yes 51%
Revolver Yes Yes 17%
Colour Me Kubrick No Yes 52% Executive producer
The Black Box No Yes Executive producer (uncredited)
Ze film No Yes
Au suivant! No Yes
2006 Bandidas Yes Yes 62%
When I Was a Singer No Yes 94% Executive producer
Dikkenek No Yes Executive producer
Golden Door (also known as Nuovomondo) No Yes 72%
Love and Other Disasters No Yes 20% Executive producer
Tell No One No Yes 94%
2007 Michou d'Auber No Yes
L'Invité No Yes
Taxi 4 Yes Yes
Frontier(s) No Yes 55% Co-producer
The Secret No Yes
Hitman No Yes 14%
2008 Taken Yes Yes 58%
Transporter 3 Yes Yes 37%
2009 I Love You Phillip Morris No Yes 72% Executive producer
District 13: Ultimatum Yes Yes 74%
Home No Yes 0% Co-producer
Staten Island No Yes 22%
2010 From Paris with Love Yes Yes 37%
22 Bullets No Yes 42%
2011 The Source No Yes 63%
Colombiana Yes Yes 27%
A Monster in Paris No Yes 85%
2012 Lockout Yes Yes 38%
Taken 2 Yes Yes 21%
2013 Collision (also known as Intersections) No Yes
Jack and the Cuckoo-Clock Heart No Yes 77%
2014 3 Days to Kill Yes Yes 32%
Brick Mansions Yes Yes 27%
The Homesman No Yes 81%
Taken 3 Yes Yes 11%
2015 The Transporter Refueled Yes Yes 16%
2016 The Warriors Gate[2] Yes Yes 43% Co-writer
2017 Renegades Yes Yes 6%
2018 Taxi 5 Yes Yes 0%
2022 Arthur, malédiction Yes Yes
2024 Weekend in Taipei Yes Yes
TBA Father Joe Yes Yes
  1. ^ Credited as camera operator.

Television

[edit]
Years Series Credited as Ratings Notes
Start End Writer Producer
2012 2014 Transporter: The Series No Yes
2012 2015 No Limit Yes Yes

References

[edit]

Bibliography

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Luc Besson filmography

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Luc Besson's filmography is a prolific body of work spanning over four decades, encompassing more than 76 films in roles as director, , and , characterized by high-octane action, , and dramatic narratives often featuring strong female protagonists and innovative visual styles. Central to the French "Cinema du look" movement of the and , which emphasized stylish aesthetics and urban alienation, Besson's early directorial efforts include his debut (1983), a post-apocalyptic sci-fi drama shot in black-and-white, and the cult classic Subway (1985), a stylish crime thriller starring and . His breakthrough came with the romantic underwater epic (1988), which explored themes of obsession and freedom, followed by Nikita (1990), a tense action-drama about a assassin that launched international careers and inspired remakes. Besson's most acclaimed directorial works include (1994), a poignant crime thriller pairing and a young that earned César nominations for Best Director and Best Film, and the visually extravagant sci-fi spectacle (1997), featuring and , which won the César Award for Best Director and the for Best Director. Later directorial efforts like The Messenger: The Story of (1999), a historical epic with , and more recent films such as (2014), a cerebral sci-fi thriller starring , and Anna (2019), an espionage actioner, showcase his evolving interest in empowered women and philosophical undertones. As a and through his company , founded in 2000 to bolster European cinema's global reach, Besson has overseen blockbuster franchises including the series (1998–2007), the high-kicking Transporter trilogy (2002–2008) starring , and the revenge-driven Taken series (2008–2014) with , which grossed over $1 billion worldwide and revitalized action genres. His production output extends to diverse projects like Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017), an ambitious based on French , and DogMan (2023), a drama about a dog trainer turned criminal, reflecting his versatility across genres and his influence on international action filmmaking. Throughout his career, Besson's films have achieved commercial success, critical recognition—including multiple César Awards—and cultural impact, blending European artistry with Hollywood-scale spectacle while mentoring talents like directors and .

Films

As director

Luc Besson's directorial career spans over four decades, beginning with low-budget experimental works in the French New Wave-influenced movement and evolving into high-concept international blockbusters characterized by his signature blend of kinetic action choreography, vibrant , and philosophical undertones drawn from personal experiences such as his childhood fascination with the sea. His films often explore themes of redemption, isolation, and , employing innovative —like stark black-and-white palettes in post-apocalyptic settings or immersive sequences—to convey emotional depth. Besson's hands-on approach to direction emphasizes practical stunts and elaborate production design, as seen in his recurring use of dynamic camera movements to heighten tension in chase scenes and fantastical worlds. His feature directorial debut, (Le Dernier Combat), released on April 13, 1983, in , runs 92 minutes and blends post-apocalyptic sci-fi with silent drama, starring Pierre Jolivet as a lone survivor in a wordless, ruined world influenced by Besson's early interest in dystopian isolation. Key cast includes in his first major role, with a budget of approximately $500,000 and limited box office earnings due to its arthouse appeal. It earned Besson the Special Jury Award at the 1983 Avoriaz Fantastic Film Festival for its innovative direction. Subway, released on April 10, 1985, in , is a 104-minute action thriller set in the , featuring as a socialite entangled with a thief () and a musician (), reflecting Besson's stylistic flair for underground, neon-lit confinement. Produced on a $2 million budget, it grossed about $390,000 in the but succeeded in , earning a BAFTA nomination for Best Foreign Language Film in 1986 and multiple César nods, including for Best Director. The underwater romance (Le Grand Bleu), released May 11, 1988, in , clocks in at 168 minutes (director's cut) and mixes drama with adventure, starring as free diver (inspired by real-life figures) opposite , with as rival Enzo Molinari; Besson's personal scuba-diving heritage infuses the film's poetic ocean sequences. With an $18 million budget, it earned $3.5 million in the but over $150 million worldwide, securing for Best Music and Best Sound, plus nominations for Best Film and Best Director in 1989. In Nikita (La Femme Nikita), released February 21, 1990, in , Besson directs a 117-minute action thriller about a junkie () transformed into an assassin, showcasing his kinetic training montages and moral ambiguity in hit sequences. Supported by and , it had a $7 million budget and grossed $7.7 million in the US (over $40 million globally), winning the César for Best Actress while nominating Besson for Best Director in 1991. Léon: The Professional, released September 14, 1994, in France, is a 110-minute crime thriller (133-minute director's cut) starring Jean Reno as hitman Léon mentoring orphaned Mathilda (Natalie Portman) amid Gary Oldman's corrupt DEA agent, employing Besson's intimate, tension-building close-ups in urban action. Budgeted at $16 million, it grossed $45 million worldwide, receiving César nominations for Best Director and Best Film in 1995. The Fifth Element, a 127-minute sci-fi spectacle released May 7, 1997, features as cab driver Korben Dallas protecting Leeloo () from cosmic evil, with Besson's elaborate visual effects and operatic action set pieces defining its futuristic opera. On a $90 million —the priciest European film then—it earned $263 million globally, winning Besson the 1998 César for Best Director. The Messenger: The Story of , released October 27, 1999, in , runs 158 minutes as an epic historical drama with as the visionary warrior, as Charles VII, and as ; Besson's hallucinatory battle choreography draws from medieval mysticism. Costing $85 million, it grossed $66 million, earning a César nomination for Best Director. Angel-A, a 91-minute released December 21, 2005, in , stars as con artist André and as his angelic guide, using black-and-white visuals and skyline shots to explore self-worth, a personal theme for Besson. With a modest $10 million budget, it achieved limited $20 million worldwide gross and no major awards. Arthur and the Invisibles (Arthur et les Minimoys), released November 29, 2006, in , is a 94-minute animated adventure blending live-action and CGI, with voicing young shrinking to aid tiny creatures, voiced by and ; Besson's direction innovates hybrid animation for whimsical fantasy. Budgeted at $86 million, it grossed $109 million globally, receiving audience award nominations at the 2007 Italian Online Movie Awards. The Lady, a 135-minute biographical drama released November 30, 2011, in , portrays () and her husband (), with Besson's restrained direction emphasizing quiet defiance in political oppression. On a $25 million budget, it earned $13 million worldwide, winning the 2012 Audience Award at the International . Lucy, released July 25, 2014, is an 89-minute sci-fi thriller starring as a woman unlocking brain potential via a drug, with as a ; Besson's philosophical action sequences culminate in transcendent visuals. With $40 million budget, it grossed $469 million, though no directing awards. Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, a 137-minute sci-fi adventure released July 21, 2017, adapts the comic with and as agents in a multicultural , plus in a cameo; Besson's direction deploys groundbreaking CGI for interstellar chases and alien designs. Budgeted at $177 million, it earned $226 million, nominated for in sci-fi and production design categories. Anna, released June 21, 2019, in the , runs 118 minutes as an action thriller with as a assassin juggling modeling and hits, alongside and ; Besson's fast-paced espionage employs stylish gunplay. On $30 million, it grossed $32 million globally, without major awards. DogMan, released September 27, 2023, in France, is a 118-minute crime drama starring as a dog trainer entangled with mobsters, with T. Gibbs; Besson's direction highlights empathetic animal-human bonds through fluid, empathetic tracking shots. Budgeted at $21 million, it earned $4.4 million, winning the 2023 Fanheart3 Award at . June and John, released April 23, 2025, in , is a 92-minute starring Matilda Price and Luke Stanton Eddy in a story of fateful subway encounters, shot innovatively on smartphones during the to capture raw intimacy. It had a with modest results (worldwide gross approximately $50,000 from reported international markets as of November 2025) and no major awards. Dracula: A Love Tale, released July 30, 2025, in (US February 6, 2026), is a 129-minute gothic romance reimagining Bram Stoker's tale with as Vlad/, as a priest, and , emphasizing tragic love through Besson's lavish period visuals and horror elements. Worldwide gross $16.98 million as of November 2025; no major awards reported.

As screenwriter

Luc Besson's screenwriting career is marked by original narratives that fuse high-concept action, philosophical undertones, and vivid world-building, often collaborating with directors through his production company . His scripts frequently explore themes of redemption, transformation, and human potential in extreme circumstances, evolving from introspective urban dramas to expansive sci-fi spectacles. While many of his screenplays are for films he directed, he has also penned stories for other filmmakers, emphasizing character-driven plots amid intense set pieces. In his early work, Besson drew from short film influences dating back to 1981, crafting original screenplays for feature debuts that established his gritty, stylized voice. For The Last Battle (1983), an original post-apocalyptic story he co-wrote and directed, the script centers on a lone survivor's mute journey through a ruined world, using minimal dialogue to heighten visual tension and existential isolation. This was followed by Subway (1985), another original screenplay by Besson, depicting a man's underground odyssey in Paris's metro system, blending thriller elements with romantic intrigue and character arcs of rebellion against societal norms. The Big Blue (1988), co-written with Robert Garland, Marilyn Goldin, and Jacques Mayol, adapts real-life free-diving rivalries into an original poetic tale of friendship and obsession with the sea, where the script's lyrical structure emphasizes emotional depth over plot linearity. Besson's 1990 screenplay for , an original story he directed, transformed a petty criminal into a lethal assassin, focusing on the script's exploration of identity loss and moral ambiguity through Nikita's arc from vulnerability to empowerment. The 1994 script for , solely by Besson and directed by him, crafts a poignant mentor-protégé relationship between a hitman and a young girl, with the writing highlighting themes of innocence amid violence and subtle emotional growth in Léon's hardened persona. Co-written with , the 2008 Taken screenplay, directed by , delivers a father's relentless pursuit of his kidnapped daughter, structuring the narrative around high-tension action sequences while developing the protagonist's arc from retired operative to vengeful force. The late 1990s and 2000s saw Besson adapt and originalize stories for broader collaborations. The Fifth Element (1997), an original screenplay by Besson for his own direction, builds a sprawling sci-fi universe where a cab driver and enigmatic woman unite to avert cosmic doom, the script's inventive lore and witty dialogue defining its eclectic character dynamics. For the adaptation The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (1999), co-written with Andrew Birkin and directed by Besson, the screenplay reimagines historical events through Joan's psychological turmoil and visions, emphasizing internal conflict in her leadership arc. In District B13 (2004), an original script by Besson directed by Pierre Morel, the writing propels a parkour-infused chase in a walled-off ghetto, focusing on themes of social division via the heroes' agile, symbiotic partnership. Besson's high-concept phase peaked with originals like Lucy (2014), his solo screenplay and direction, where a woman unlocks abilities from a , the script delving into evolutionary through her rapid cognitive arc from victim to transcendent being. Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017), adapted by Besson from Pierre Christin and ' comics and directed by him, expands a cosmic adventure with intricate alien societies, the writing prioritizing visual spectacle and romantic tension in the agents' journey. Recent works include the original screenplay for DogMan (2023), which he also directed, which traces a man's bond with dogs amid criminal undercurrents, highlighting redemption through non-verbal character evolution. Throughout his career, Besson's shifted from the claustrophobic, dialogue-sparse intensity of Subway—estimated at around 90 pages of terse exchanges—to the expansive, lore-heavy 600-page design bible for Valerian's universe, influencing script depth. Collaborations, such as with Kamen on the Transporter series (2002–2015), standardized high-octane chase scripts with archetypal anti-hero arcs. A notable script-related arose with Lockout (2012), where Besson co-wrote the story; a Paris appeals court ruled in 2016 that it massively borrowed from John Carpenter's (1981), ordering Besson to pay €450,000 in damages for key plot and character elements.

As producer

Luc Besson entered film production with his 1994 directorial debut , where he also served as producer through his early company Les Films du Dauphin. This marked the start of his broader involvement in financing and overseeing action-oriented projects, often blending French creative input with international commercial strategies. In 1999, Besson founded , a Paris-based studio that has since produced or co-produced over 120 feature films, establishing itself as one of Europe's leading independent production entities focused on high-concept thrillers and franchises with global distribution potential. Under EuropaCorp, Besson emphasized efficient budget allocations and international co-productions to maximize market reach, frequently partnering with U.S. distributors like 20th Century Fox for films such as District B13 (2004), a French action thriller directed by Pierre Morel that showcased parkour stunts and was co-produced with American financing elements to appeal to overseas audiences. The studio's model prioritized mid-range budgets—typically $20–50 million—for high-return action vehicles, as seen in the Transporter franchise, which Besson co-created and produced starting with the 2002 original. This series, directed by Louis Leterrier and Corey Yuen, exemplified EuropaCorp's role in launching low-cost, stunt-driven hits that spawned sequels and spin-offs, generating sustained revenue through home video and international sales. Besson's production oversight extended to non-directorial projects like Taken (2008), directed by Pierre Morel, where EuropaCorp handled financing and development on a modest $25 million budget, resulting in a global box office of $226.4 million and launching a trilogy that collectively earned over $929 million. Such successes highlighted his strategic focus on talent discovery, elevating actors like Liam Neeson into action leads, and fostering franchises that balanced European artistry with Hollywood-style spectacle. Other notable EuropaCorp productions include Lockout (2012), a sci-fi thriller co-produced with U.S. partners, and Brick Mansions (2014), a remake of District B13 tailored for American markets through Anglo-French collaboration. These efforts often involved cross-border funding, such as French tax incentives combined with international pre-sales, to mitigate risks and amplify distribution.
Selected EuropaCorp ProductionsYearDirectorKey Details
1994Budget: ~$16 million; Gross: $45.3 million; Launched international career for .
2002 & Budget: ~$20 million; Gross: $43.1 million; Initiated franchise with EuropaCorp financing.
District B132004Budget: ~$13 million; French-U.S. co-production emphasizing action.
Taken2008Budget: $25 million; Gross: $226.4 million; French-American partnership via EuropaCorp.
The Family2013Budget: $30 million; Gross: $78.3 million; Co-production with U.S. elements.
(European distribution)2017EuropaCorp handled European distribution; Part of broader franchise strategy.
As of November 2025, Besson continues to drive EuropaCorp's pipeline post-restructuring, with recent releases including June & John (April 2025, limited gross ~$50,000 international) and (July 2025, gross $16.98 million worldwide), in partnership with entities like Federation Studios. Other projects in development include Father Joe, an action thriller written and produced by Besson, starring , , and , currently filming in New York with no confirmed release window but emphasizing high-stakes mob drama. These initiatives reflect ongoing French-international co-productions, such as partnerships with for youth-oriented films.

Television

Series

Luc Besson's involvement in television series primarily occurred through his production company , where he served as or creator, adapting his cinematic action-thriller style to episodic formats with high-stakes narratives and international appeal. The first major series credit came with No Limit, a French action-adventure series he co-created with Franck Philippon in 2012. Airing on , it spanned three seasons and 22 episodes, each approximately 52 minutes long, following a terminally ill secret agent recruited for black ops missions in exchange for experimental treatment. Besson's creative input emphasized relentless pacing and moral ambiguity in espionage, drawing from his film aesthetics, with production handled under and a focus on practical stunts over CGI. The series achieved solid domestic viewership, averaging around 4-5 million viewers per episode in , contributing to its syndication in over 90 territories. In the same year, Besson executive produced Transporter: The Series, a spinoff of his 2002 film franchise, which ran for two seasons totaling 24 episodes (12 per season) from 2012 to 2014. Broadcast initially on in the U.S. and M6 in , with later availability on and TNT, episodes clocked in at about 45-50 minutes and centered on freelance courier Frank Martin navigating criminal underworlds. The $40 million budget for the first season underscored ambitious action sequences filmed across and , reflecting Besson's oversight in maintaining the franchise's no-nonsense rules and vehicular chases. It garnered 1.3 million viewers for its U.S. premiere on TNT, leading to international syndication but mixed critical reception for diluting the films' intensity. Following in 2014, Taxi Brooklyn marked another adaptation, executive produced by Besson based on his 1998 Taxi films. This single-season series of 12 episodes, each around 42 minutes, aired on and depicted a New York detective partnering with a reckless French taxi driver to solve crimes. Besson's influence shaped the buddy-cop dynamic with comedic undertones and high-speed pursuits, produced via Television with a modest per-episode emphasizing urban . Despite debuting to 5.4 million viewers, ratings declined sharply to under 3 million by season's end, resulting in cancellation after one season due to insufficient syndication potential. Besson's most prominent TV contribution culminated in Taken (2017-2018), which he co-created with Alexander Cary as a prequel to his 2008 film trilogy. Airing on for two seasons and 26 episodes (10 in season 1, 16 in season 2), each roughly 42 minutes, it explored the early life of CIA operative Bryan Mills amid personal and professional turmoil. As , Besson contributed to overarching story arcs involving and , including casting decisions that echoed the films' gritty tone, though without direct film crossovers. The series premiered to 7.4 million viewers but averaged 3.5 million overall, with season 2 dipping below 2 million, leading to cancellation; its international distribution via bolstered global reach in episodic action serialization.

Miniseries

Luc Besson's involvement in television primarily stems from his production company and its digital arm Blackpills, focusing on self-contained narratives with thriller and action elements designed for limited-run formats. These projects emphasize finite storytelling arcs, often spanning 6 to 10 episodes, and target international audiences through co-productions and streaming platforms. One of his earliest miniseries credits is Flight of the Storks (2012–2013), a two-part English-language action thriller produced by EuropaCorp Television. Directed by Jan Kounen and adapted from Jean-Christophe Grangé's novel, the series follows a young academic investigating his parents' deaths while tracking stork migrations from Switzerland to Africa, uncovering a global conspiracy. It premiered on French broadcaster Arte and was later distributed internationally on channels like Sundance Channel, highlighting Besson's push for high-concept, location-spanning plots in limited formats. The production involved international collaboration, including South African filming locations and a cast led by Rutger Hauer, and received attention for its blend of ornithological adventure with espionage themes. In 2017, Besson created , a 10-episode web for his startup platform Blackpills, marking his direct creative input in a mobile-native format. The action-drama centers on a teenage girl infiltrating an elite assassin training school in to unravel her parents' murder, featuring short, episodic chapters around 10 minutes each for on-the-go viewing. Produced as an original idea by Besson, it was directed by Pascal Sid and Olivier Schneider, with a cast including Amalia Holm, and launched exclusively on the Blackpills app before broader . This project exemplified Besson's of his cinematic style—intense action and youthful protagonists—to episodic, self-contained , achieving international reach through partnerships like . As of November 2025, no additional have been released or announced under Besson's direct production, though continues to develop limited television projects amid its focus on film. These distinguish themselves through bounded narratives, avoiding ongoing , and have garnered niche acclaim for their event-style presentation on European and digital networks.

Other contributions

Short films

Luc Besson's short films represent his formative experiments in cinema, developed during his early twenties amid limited resources and small crews, laying the stylistic groundwork for his feature-length works through themes of , visual innovation, and narrative economy. These projects, often self-funded or produced on shoestring budgets by his nascent company Les Films du Loup, featured intimate collaborations with future long-term partners like composer and actor Pierre Jolivet, emphasizing black-and-white and 35mm film stock to evoke atmospheric tension. His debut short, L'Avant Dernier (1981), runs 12 minutes and depicts a lone survivor navigating a post-nuclear wasteland plagued by marauders and environmental ruin, where has eradicated spoken language, forcing communication through gestures and sounds. Directed, written, and produced by Besson with a minimal team, the film screened at various festivals, including early showings that highlighted its raw, experimental edge, and was personally financed through Besson's savings after years of assistant directing roles starting at age 17. This work directly influenced his first feature, (1983), expanding its core premise while retaining the silent, dystopian aesthetic and key collaborators like Serra on score and Jolivet in the lead role. Besson's subsequent shorts remained rare, with no additional narrative works under 30 minutes documented in major archives as of 2025, though L'Avant Dernier has seen restorations and remains accessible online via platforms like , preserving its status as a pivotal artifact of his transition from amateur experimentation to professional filmmaking. These early efforts, characterized by small crews of under 10 and themes of isolation and , underscored Besson's preference for visual over dialogue, a hallmark that carried into later features like Subway (1985).

Music videos and commercials

Luc Besson's early forays into music videos in the established his signature visual style, characterized by dynamic cinematography and atmospheric lighting reminiscent of his feature film Subway. He directed "Pull Marine" for in 1983, a noir-infused promo that won the for Music Video of the Year, blending cabaret aesthetics with shadowy urban scenes. In 1988, Besson directed "Mon légionnaire" for , employing stark black-and-white contrasts and military motifs to evoke the song's ironic tone. Transitioning into the 1990s, Besson elevated music videos to near-short-film status with elaborate narratives and high production values. His 1992 direction of Mylène Farmer's "Que mon cœur lâche" featured the artist as an angel on a divine mission, shot with sweeping aerial shots and ethereal effects in , budgeted at approximately €100,000 and produced by Toutankhamon S.A. The English version, "My Soul Is Slashed," followed the same storyline, reinforcing Besson's penchant for mythological themes. Later works included Richard Berry's "" in the early , a clip constructed around a single-take performance to emphasize emotional intensity. Internationally, Besson directed Madonna's "" in 2003, incorporating surreal desert imagery and slow-motion choreography inspired by the artist's album. In 2008, he tackled "L'Impasse" for , infusing hip-hop visuals with gritty realism, and in 2017, he uncreditedly directed Cara Delevingne's "I Feel Everything" for the Valerian and the City of a Thousand soundtrack, tying into his film's sci-fi aesthetic with high-energy action sequences. Besson's commercial work, often through , showcased his ability to adapt cinematic techniques for brand storytelling, frequently featuring high budgets and celebrity talent. In 1997, he directed the "Rouge Pulp" ad starring , portraying her as a seductive rebel applying lipstick in a rain-soaked urban setting, which boosted the campaign's global visibility. The 1998 Chanel No. 5 "Le Loup" commercial, with as a modern pursued by a in a snowy forest, blended fairy-tale and sensuality, scored by cues and praised for its artistic daring. In 2000, Besson created the futuristic "Club Internet Part Two" spot, depicting a rollerblader battling a CGI monster in a digital realm to promote online services. His 2003 Estée Lauder ad repurposed Madonna's "" track, emphasizing luxury beauty with ethereal visuals. No new music videos or commercials from Besson or were released in 2024 or 2025, with his focus shifting to feature films like .

References

  1. https://lucbesson.co/biography/
  2. https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/p/luc-besson/
  3. https://lucbesson.co/luc-besson-movies/
  4. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/nov/25/luc-besson-acclaimed-french-directors-studio-struggles-after-losses
  5. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/mar/05/dogman-review-luc-bessons-bizarre-and-macabre-tale-of-canines-and-drag
  6. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/sep/12/luc-besson-collection-dvd-review
  7. https://www.the-numbers.com/person/14060401-Luc-Besson
  8. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000108/
  9. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085426/
  10. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085426/awards/
  11. https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/luc-besson/square-one-luc-bessons-the-last-battle-1983
  12. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090095/
  13. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Subway
  14. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090095/awards/
  15. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095250/
  16. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Grand-bleu-Le
  17. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095250/awards/
  18. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100263/
  19. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Nikita
  20. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100263/awards/
  21. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110413/
  22. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Leon
  23. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119116/
  24. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Fifth-Element-The
  25. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119116/awards/
  26. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0151137/
  27. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Messenger-The-The-Story-of-Joan-of-Arc
  28. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0151137/awards/
  29. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0473753/
  30. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/angela-2007
  31. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0344854/
  32. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0344854/awards/
  33. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1802197/
  34. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Lady-The
  35. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1802197/awards/
  36. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2872732/
  37. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Lucy
  38. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lucy_2014
  39. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2239822/
  40. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2239822/awards/
  41. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7456310/
  42. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Anna-%28France%29-%282019%29
  43. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/anna_2019
  44. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17009348/
  45. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Dogman-%282023%29
  46. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17009348/awards/
  47. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt20218618/
  48. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/june_and_john
  49. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt20218618/
  50. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31434030/
  51. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Dracula-A-Love-Tale-%282025-France%29
  52. https://variety.com/2024/film/global/europacorp-federation-studios-production-1236257721/
  53. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/jul/29/luc-besson-told-to-pay-450000-for-plagiarism-of-john-carpenter-classic
  54. https://europacorp.com/en/espace-investisseurs
  55. https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/EUROPACORP-54946/company/
  56. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/transporter
  57. https://variety.com/2017/film/news/luc-besson-europacorp-valerian-1202564820/
  58. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0414852/
  59. https://deadline.com/2025/09/luc-besson-dracula-caleb-landry-jones-christoph-waltz-deal-1236508802/
  60. https://variety.com/2025/film/global/kiefer-sutherland-al-pacino-luc-besson-father-joe-1236550663/
  61. https://deadline.com/2025/11/kiefer-sutherland-al-pacino-ever-anderson-father-joe-afm-1236611052/
  62. https://deadline.com/2011/03/cinemax-greenlights-transporter-series-executive-produced-by-luc-besson-119063/
  63. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/aug/19/no-limit-luc-besson-non-stop-whirlwind-of-silly-gratuitous-stunts
  64. https://tf1international.tv/int_fiche.php?Film=1468&Type=3
  65. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/will-transporter-deliver-240483/
  66. https://deadline.com/2014/10/transporter-the-series-ratings-tnt-premiere-chris-vance-859262/
  67. https://deadline.com/2014/03/nbc-acquires-taxi-brooklyn-action-series-based-on-luc-bessons-feature-franchise-704499/
  68. https://variety.com/2014/tv/reviews/tv-review-taxi-brooklyn-1201223158/
  69. https://www.tvguide.com/news/nbc-taken-tv-show-everything-to-know/
  70. https://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/taken/
  71. https://variety.com/2011/film/news/rutger-hauer-to-topline-flight-of-the-storks-1118043908/
  72. https://variety.com/2017/digital/global/luc-bessons-playground-for-blackpills-vice-gets-first-trailer-exclusive-1202014758/
  73. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1928328/
  74. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/europacorp-sells-french-tv-division-valerian-disappointment-1059809/
  75. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6690134/
  76. https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/73804-playground?language=en-US
  77. https://en.unifrance.org/movie/35526/l-avant-dernier
  78. https://thefilmstage.com/watch-luc-bessons-first-film-the-post-apocalyptic-sci-fi-short-lavant-dernier/
  79. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082038/
  80. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4I1IyZLXVVM
  81. https://hal.science/hal-03709700/document
  82. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc-vx5E2Unk
  83. https://mediaclip.ina.fr/en/i21077764-luc-besson-i-m-a-little-tired-of-music-videos-where-the-technique-takes-on-a-colossal-importance.html
  84. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUtvUFsPA6Y
  85. https://imvdb.com/n/luc-besson/videography-by-position/dir
  86. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6957644/
  87. http://www.filmreference.com/Directors-Be-Bu/Besson-Luc.html
  88. https://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/02/business/media-business-advertising-new-spot-for-chanel-no-5-dabs-some-sex-surrealism.html
  89. https://buf.com/commercials/?id=6029
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