Nicole Garcia

A powerful onscreen presence in such acclaimed films as Alain Resnais's philosophical drama "Mon oncle d'Amérique," French actress and auteur Nicole Garcia proved equally adept behind the camera as a writer and director of her own art-house hits. Born in Algeria, Garcia made her film debut in the little-seen 1967 French comedy "Des garcons et des filles." Following well-received supporting performances on Gallic TV and in films, from Jacques Rivette's heady fantasy "Duelle (une quarantaine)" to the winsome comedy "Le cavaleur," Garcia won raves for her portrayal of a self-abnegating mistress in 1980's Cannes Award-winning "Mon oncle d'Amérique." Garcia continued to deliver standout work onscreen throughout the '80s, then also turned her hand to writing and directing with the 1990 feature drama "Un week-end sur deux." The film earned a pair of César Award nominations, and effectively launched Garcia's second career as an assured screenwriter and director of elegant, multi-layered dramas like "Le fils préféré" and bourgeoisie-skewering thrillers like "Place Vendôme," starring Catherine Deneuve. A distinguished artist on either side of the camera, Garcia earned her fifth César acting nomination for her searing performance as a desperate mother in "Alias Betty" and saw her sixth feature as writer-director, the 2010 romantic thriller "A View of Love," connect with audiences as her biggest commercial success to date.