
Alain Jessua
Known for Directing · 4 credits
- Born
- 1932-01-16
- Died
- 2017-11-30
- Place of birth
- Paris, France
Biography
Alain Jessua began his career as assistant to directors like Max Ophüls, Marcel Carne, Yves Allégret and Jacques Becker, before making his unique short film, Léon la lune, which earned him the prestigious Prix Jean-Vigo award in 1957. A few years later, in 1963, his first feature film (which became "cult" among moviegoers) won two prizes in Cannes and also Venice: La Vie à l'envers, with Charles Denner and Jean Yanne in his first movie role. He then went on to direct a series of successful and critically acclaimed feature films, which he produced himself (a rare risk in the French cinema landscape).
Alain Jessua is regularly honored in France and abroad. His short film Léon la lune was screened at the MOMA - Museum of Modern Art in New York a few years ago and Martin Scorsese cited La Vie à l'envers as one of the films that really made an impact on him. Jean Tulard , in his "Dictionary of Cinema", writes: "He proposes a cinema where he tackles the problems of our time and makes cries of alarm. "
Alain Jessua is also the author of six novels.
Known For

The Story of French Fantasy Cinema
2019
as Self (archive footage)

Alain Jessua, le franc-tireur du cinéma français
2021
as Self

Max Ophüls, le peintre de l'amour fatal
2013
as Self
Working with Max Ophuls: Alain Jessua on the Making of Madame de...
2006
as Self
Movies (4)

The Story of French Fantasy Cinema
2019
as Self (archive footage)

Alain Jessua, le franc-tireur du cinéma français
2021
as Self

Max Ophüls, le peintre de l'amour fatal
2013
as Self
Working with Max Ophuls: Alain Jessua on the Making of Madame de...
2006
as Self
About Alain Jessua
Alain Jessua began his career as assistant to directors like Max Ophüls, Marcel Carne, Yves Allégret and Jacques Becker, before making his unique short film, Léon la lune, which earned him the prestigious Prix Jean-Vigo award in 1957. A few years later, in 1963, his first feature film (which became "cult" among moviegoers) won two prizes in Cannes and also Venice: La Vie à l'envers, with Charles Denner and Jean Yanne in his first movie role. He then went on to direct a series of successful and critically acclaimed feature films, which he produ… With 4 credits spanning from 2006 to 2021, Alain Jessua has appeared in 4 films and 0 TV shows.
Fans searching for Alain Jessua movies, Alain Jessua filmography, or the latest projects starring Alain Jessua can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Alain Jessua Movies
- The Story of French Fantasy Cinema (2019) — as Self (archive footage)
- Alain Jessua, le franc-tireur du cinéma français (2021) — as Self
- Max Ophüls, le peintre de l'amour fatal (2013) — as Self
- Working with Max Ophuls: Alain Jessua on the Making of Madame de... (2006) — as Self
Where to Watch Alain Jessua Films
Most Alain Jessua movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Alain Jessua, check our movies catalogue and browse page.