Jeanne Moreau: A Muse of 1960s French Cinema

Jeanne Moreau was a legendary French actress, director, and singer, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in 20th-century European cinema. Born 1928 in Paris, she rose to prominence during the 1950s and became a defining face of the French New Wave movement in the 1960s.

Known for her smoky voice, intense screen presence, and deeply expressive acting, Moreau broke away from the traditional portrayals of women in film and embraced complex, independent, and often enigmatic characters. Her breakthrough role came with Louis Malle’s Elevator to the Gallows (1958), followed by iconic performances in Les Amants (1958), La Notte (1961) by Michelangelo Antonioni, and Jules et Jim (1962) by François Truffaut. She worked with an impressive range of directors, including Orson Welles, Luis Buñuel, and Rainer Werner Fassbinder, cementing her international reputation.

In addition to acting, Moreau directed several films and released albums as a singer. Her contributions to cinema earned her numerous awards, including a BAFTA, a César, and an honorary Golden Lion from the Venice Film Festival. She was also the first woman to be elected to the Académie des Beaux-Arts of the Institut de France.

Moreau passed away in 2017, but remains an enduring symbol of cinematic artistry, femininity, and intellectual independence. Step back in time with these beautiful portraits of Jeanne Moreau from the golden age of French cinema.