Noémie Merlant

Noémie Merlant, born on the 27th of November, 1988, in Paris, France, is an acclaimed French actress and filmmaker who has significantly impacted the French film industry. Merlant began her career as a professional model and later attended the renowned Cours Florent acting school in Paris. Her breakthrough came in 2016 when she starred in the film 'Heaven Will Wait' and was subsequently nominated for the César Award for Most Promising Actress. In 2019, she starred in 'Portrait of a Lady on Fire', a role that won her the Lumières Award for Best Actress and earned her another César Award nomination. Notably, Merlant also starred in the 2020 film 'Jumbo', the remarkable story of a woman falling in love with an amusement park ride. Aside from her acting career, Merlant ventured into filmmaking, having directed two short films - the 2017 film 'Je suis #unebiche' and the 2019 film 'Shakira'. She made her feature directorial debut with 'Mi Iubita Mon Amour' which premiered at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival. Her second directorial work, 'The Balconettes', premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024.

In 2022, Merlant portrayed Francesca Lentini, a musician and personal assistant to the celebrated composer/conductor Lydia Tár (Cate Blanchett), in the movie 'Tár', directed by Todd Field. Given her significant contribution to the cinematic world, she was invited to become a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in June 2023. Furthermore, it was announced that she would play the titular character Emmanuelle in a reboot of the iconic franchise directed by Audrey Diwan. Therefore, her career spans various facets of the film industry, involving acting, directing, and being a part of prestigious cinematic bodies. Merlant's unique blend of talent, drive, and vision truly sets her apart in the world of cinema.