Who is Juliette Binoche? Everything You Need to Know

Juliette Binoche was born on 9 March 1964 as the daughter of Jean-Marie Binoche, and Monique Yvette Stalens. Both her parents were acting professionals and directors, and thus she was exposed to the show business from a young age. She has one sister, Marion.

Her parents divorced when Juliette was just four years old, and she along with her sister was sent to a provincial boarding school. Often the girls would not see either of their parents for a long time and this perceived abandonment affected her deeply.

Acting was in her blood and she started appearing in amateur stage productions as a school student.

She enrolled at the Conservatoire National Supérieur d'Art Dramatique (CNSAD) to study acting. However, she was not happy with the curriculum there and quit after a short time.

After leaving the academy she joined a theatre troupe and toured all over France and other European countries like Belgium and Switzerland. During this period she also took acting lessons from the prominent acting coach Vera Gregh.

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Career

She began receiving offers to appear in television and movies even before she turned 20. After appearing in some minor roles on television, she made her big-screen debut in 1983, in a small role in the movie ‘Liberty Belle’.

After a couple of years she appeared in the films ‘Hail Mary’ and ‘Rendez-vous’, playing a leading role in the latter for which she received much recognition. Her role in the movie was described as her career defining performance.

In 1993, she appeared in the French drama film, ‘Three Colors: Blue’. Directed by the acclaimed Polish director Krzysztof Kieślowski, she portrayed the role of Julie, a recently widowed woman, in the film. The following year, she reprised this role in the films ‘Three Colors: White’ and ‘Three Colors: Red’.

She had a starring role in the 1996 film ‘The English Patient’ which earned her widespread recognition. The film was critically acclaimed and received 12 nominations at the 69th Academy Awards, eventually winning nine.

Her portrayal of a vivacious single mother and expert chocolatier in the movie ‘Chocolat’ (2000) was met with appreciation from the critics and viewers alike. The film was nominated for many awards, including five Academy Awards.

In the 2005 French thriller, ‘Cache’, she appeared alongside Daniel Auteuil, playing his on-screen wife, Anne. The movie premiered at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival and received three prizes.

She acted in the art film, ‘Certified Copy’ in 2010. The film revolves around the story of a French antiques dealer—played by Binoche—and her relationship with a British writer, which goes through several ups and downs within the course of a day.

She played the sculptor Camille Claudel in the biopic ‘Camille Claudel 1915’ in 2013. The film was critically acclaimed and Juliette Binoche in particular was appreciated for her excellent performance.

In 2014 she appeared in the drama film ‘Clouds of Sils Maria’ in which she played the role of an actress. The same year she also acted in ‘Words and Pictures’ and ‘Godzilla’.

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Major Works

Juliette Binoche gave the finest performance of her career when she portrayed the French-Canadian nurse, Hana, in the 1996 romantic drama, ‘The English Patient’. Her performance received much appreciation and won her several prestigious awards.

Her role in the 2000 romantic drama ‘Chocolat’ was another one of her acclaimed performances. She brought to life the character of Vianne Rocher, a free-spirited owner of a chocolate shop, and won the hearts of the audiences.

Awards & Achievements

She won the Academy Award for the Best Supporting Actress for portraying the role of Hana in the 1996 movie ‘The English Patient’. She also received the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and the European Film Award for Best Actress for the same role.

In 2000 she won the European Film Award for Best Actress for her role as Vianne Rocher in ‘Chocolat’

Personal Life & Legacy

Juliette Binoche is not married though she has been in several relationships. She was once involved with the professional scuba diver, Andre Halle, and this union produced a son, Raphael.

Later on she started dating actor Benoît Magimel, with whom she starred in the 1999 film ‘Children of the Century’. A daughter, Hana, was born as a result of this relationship.

Juliette Binoche Biography