Gaspar Noé

Gaspar Noé, an Argentine filmmaker living and primarily working in France, is a major proponent of New French Extremity. Some of his predominant works include feature films like 'I Stand Alone' (1998), 'Irréversible' (2002), 'Enter the Void' (2009), 'Love' (2015), 'Climax' (2018), 'Lux Æterna' (2019), and 'Vortex' (2021). Born in Buenos Aires on December 27, 1963, Noé's background is a mix of Italian and Irish lineage from his parents. After living in New York City until age five, his family moved back to Argentina, and subsequently to France in 1976 to escape the Argentine military dictatorship. His education includes a degree from the École nationale supérieure Louis-Lumière in France in 1982. His style is characteristically complete with challenging sexual and violent bodily imagery often described as cinéma du corps or cinema of 'brutal intimacy'.

Noé's work has frequently involved confrontations with the audience, directly addressing them in films like 'I Stand Alone'. His collaborations include major projects with Lucile Hadžihalilović, and his films often feature a butcher character played by Philippe Nahon. Most of his feature films are shot by cinematographer Benoît Debie and have music composed by the likes of Thomas Bangalter. Noé's work with Saint Laurent has led to the creation of films like Lux Æterna and Saint Laurent - Summer of ‘21. His style and influences are widely attributed to having watched 2001: A Space Odyssey at age seven, and he cites the 1983 Austrian serial killer film 'Angst' as a major influence. A near-fatal brain hemorrhage in early 2020 partly inspired the plot of his film 'Vortex'. He is also known for his photography and has shot covers for celebrities like Sky Ferreira.