Juliette Binoche (; born 9 March 1964) is a
French actress, artist and dancer. She has appeared in more than 40 feature films, been recipient of numerous international awards, and has appeared on stage and in movies across the world. Coming from an artistic background, she began taking acting lessons during adolescence. After performing in several stage productions, she began acting in films by
auteur directors
Jean-Luc Godard (
Hail Mary, 1985),
Jacques Doillon (
Family Life, 1985) and
André Téchiné, who made her a star in France with the leading role in his 1985 drama
Rendez-vous. Her sensual performance in her English-language debut
The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988), directed by
Philip Kaufman, launched her international career.