Popular French actor Benoit Majimel was born on May 11, 1974 in le-de-France, a suburb of Paris. At the age of twelve, he was invited to one of the main roles in the film "Life is a long, calm river," directed by Etienne Chatillier. The film tells about a social incident when two newborns were mixed up in a maternity hospital. The story of two teenagers who grew up with foreign parents, to the depths of their souls touched the audience. Critics also did not remain indifferent, and the film received four Cesar awards at once. The jury of the Cannes Film Festival does not make prizes to encourage young talents, although they sometimes deserve it. Therefore, Majimel, the performer of one of the main roles, received nothing.
Cinema and television
Then Benoit Majimel starred in the 1989 comedy Cristina Lipinski, entitled "Daddy Left, Mommy too," where the aspiring actor played a teenager named Jerome. The film’s humorous background helped Benoit create a memorable image.
After two debut films, Benoit settled on television and began acting in TV shows. The memorable appearance helped the young man become a popular performer of youth roles, and also opened the way for him to various television shows.
First successes
However, in 1993, Benoit Majimel returned to the big movie to play one of the supporting roles in the movie "The Stolen Notebook". Maurice, a young man who returned from the war, was a great success for Magimel, and he began to receive invitations from other directors.
In 1995, Benoit Majimel, whose films gradually began to gain fame, took part in the creation of the film "Hate" directed by Mathieu Casovitz. The main roles were played by Vincent Kassel and Said Tagmau, stars of the first magnitude. The film was awarded three prizes "Cesar" at the Cannes Film Festival, and also received an award in the category "Best Director".
Acquaintance with Catherine Deneuve
A year later, the actor starred in a small role with the director Andre Tischene, in the movie "Thieves". The character Jimmy Fountain did not make an impression, but the presence on the set of Hollywood megastar Catherine Deneuve made the film a success. Nevertheless, Benoit Majimel was also awarded a nomination for the César Award as an aspiring actor, although he did not receive it.
In the film "Children of the Century" directed by Diana Curie, Benoit played a major role, playing Alfred de Musset, a true friend and lover of the famous French writer Georges Sand. For the young actor, this role was a real breakthrough; he was able to fully reveal himself as a dramatic actor.
Dancing in the palace
The next main role of Majimel was the character of the film "The King Dances" - Louis XIV. The image of the French king was extremely difficult to perform, if only because the vain monarch loved choreography and tried to show himself as an experienced dancer. Benoit Majimel had to study dance art for three months to fit the role.
Another notable work of the actor was the main role in the film “The Pianist,” where he played Walter Klemer, an amateur musician who has a strange connection with Erica Kohut, professor at the Vienna Conservatory.
After the overwhelming success of “The Pianists,” Benoit Majimel played the lead role in the film directed by Claude Chabrol called “The Flower of Evil”. The character Francois Wasser, a young man, rotates in circles close to politics.
Psychologism
In 2007, Benoit Majimel played an unusual role for himself, hopelessly in love with the name of Paul, who in every possible way seeks the favor of the main character Gabrielle. However, she meets the elderly womanizer Charles. A woman sleeps with him, and at the same time with his friends, and all this happens in one room. The film was created by director Claude Chabrol and is called "Girl Cut in Two," another name is "One Girl for Two." Benoit Majimel believes that the role of Paul was a success, but there was an unpleasant aftertaste in his soul. Still, in his opinion, a man should not be humiliated, as his hero did.
Benoit Magimel: personal life
Today, the actor lives in Paris, he is not married yet, and nothing portends the ringing of wedding bells in his honor. In 1999, Benoit met actress Juliette Binoche, this happened on the set of the film "Children of the Century." The young people lived together until 2003, after which they parted safely. As a living memory of their love, a daughter named Anna remained.