---
name: "Jean-Claude Carrière"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/jean-claude-carriere"
fi1m_id: "jean-claude-carriere"
imdb_id: "nm0140643"
tmdb_id: 9747
wikidata_id: "Q551429"
roles: ["Writer"]
born: "17 September 1931"
died: "8 February 2021"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 7
average_fi1m_score: 79
average_as: "writer"
average_over: 6
updated: "2026-10-04T23:15:05.236613+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Jean-Claude Carrière

## Identity

Jean-Claude Carrière

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/jean-claude-carriere
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** jean-claude-carriere
- **IMDb ID:** nm0140643
- **TMDB ID:** 9747
- **Wikidata ID:** Q551429
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Claude_Carri%C3%A8re, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q551429, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0140643/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/9747

Writer. Born 17 September 1931 in Colombières-sur-Orb, Hérault, France. Died 8 February 2021.

## Details

- **Work:** Writer
- **Born:** 17 September 1931, Colombières-sur-Orb, Hérault, France
- **Died:** 8 February 2021
- **Active:** 1967–2010
- **Also known as:** Jean-Claude François Carrière, Jean-Claude Carriere, Jean Claude Carriere, Жан-Клод Каррьер
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 7: 1 acting, 6 writing
- **Frequently works with:** [Juliette Binoche](https://film.one/person/juliette-binoche.md), [Luis Buñuel](https://film.one/person/luis-bunuel.md)
- **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar (1 won · 3 nominated)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 79, as writer, over 6 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1960s 86 (1), 1970s 80 (2), 1980s 74 (1), 1990s 76 (2), 2010s 84 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 79 to 76 across 6 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Genres:** Drama 5, Romance 4, Comedy 2, History 2, Mystery 1, Thriller 1
- **Screen time:** 13 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $173m across 5 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Claude_Carri%C3%A8re, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q551429, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0140643/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/9747

## Streaming the US now

- **HBO Max:** [*Belle de Jour*](https://film.one/film/belle-de-jour.md) (86), [*The Tin Drum*](https://film.one/film/the-tin-drum.md) (78)
- **The Criterion Channel:** [*Cyrano de Bergerac*](https://film.one/film/cyrano-de-bergerac.md) (88)
- **Apple TV:** [*The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie*](https://film.one/film/the-discreet-charm-of-the-bourgeoisie.md) (83)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Biography

Jean-Claude Carrière was a French screenwriter, novelist, dramatist and actor. Born on 17 September 1931 in Colombières-sur-Orb, Hérault, he studied literature and history at the École normale supérieure de Saint-Cloud before publishing his first novel, *Lézard*, in 1957. He began his film career writing novelisations for Jacques Tati and collaborating with Pierre Étaix, with whom he won an Academy Award for the short film *Heureux Anniversaire* (1962).

Carrière became best known for his long collaboration with Luis Buñuel on the director’s late French films, including *Belle de Jour* (1967), *The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie* (1972) and *That Obscure Object of Desire* (1977). His other screenplays include *The Swimming Pool* (1969), *The Tin Drum* (1979), *The Unbearable Lightness of Being* (1988), *Cyrano de Bergerac* (1990) and *Birth* (2004). He received a César Award for *The Return of Martin Guerre* (1983) and an Honorary Oscar in 2014. He also adapted the *Mahabharata* for the stage with Peter Brook and served as president of La Fémis, the French national film school.

Carrière died on 8 February 2021 in Paris.

*Sources: imdb.com, fr.wikipedia.org, theguardian.com, bfi.org.uk, oscars.org.*

## On Fi1m (7)

### Performed in (1)

- *Certified Copy* (2010), Fi1m 84, as The Man at the Square — [page](https://film.one/film/certified-copy.md)

### Wrote (6) — the average rests on these

- *Sommersby* (1993), Fi1m 63, Original Film Writer — [page](https://film.one/film/sommersby.md)
- *Cyrano de Bergerac* (1990), Fi1m 88, Screenplay — [page](https://film.one/film/cyrano-de-bergerac.md)
- *The Unbearable Lightness of Being* (1988), Fi1m 74, Screenplay — [page](https://film.one/film/the-unbearable-lightness-of-being.md)
- *The Tin Drum* (1979), Fi1m 78, Screenplay — [page](https://film.one/film/the-tin-drum.md)
- *The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie* (1972), Fi1m 83, Screenplay — [page](https://film.one/film/the-discreet-charm-of-the-bourgeoisie.md)
- *Belle de Jour* (1967), Fi1m 86, Screenplay — [page](https://film.one/film/belle-de-jour.md)

## Complete filmography (142)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *The Plough* (2023), Screenplay
- *Land of Dreams* (2022), Writer
- *The Crusade* (2021), Writer, In Memory Of
- *The Salt of Tears* (2020), Dialogue, Screenplay
- *A Faithful Man* (2018), Writer
- *At Eternity's Gate* (2018), Writer
- *The Collection* (2018), as Monsieur Klein
- *Lover for a Day* (2017), Screenplay
- *A Bigger Splash* (2015), Adaptation, Dialogue
- *In the Shadow of Women* (2015), Writer
- *The Petrov File* (2015), Writer
- *The Patience Stone* (2013), Screenplay
- *The Artist and the Model* (2012), Screenplay
- *Harold et Maude* (2012), Writer
- *Memories of My Melancholy Whores* (2011), Screenplay
- *Carrière, 250 Meters* (2011), Screenplay
- *Certified Copy* (2010), as The Man at the Square — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/certified-copy.md)
- *Ulzhan* (2007), Scenario Writer
- *Marie-Antoinette, la véritable histoire* (2006), Writer
- *The Secret Book* (2006), as Pierre Reymond
- *Goya's Ghosts* (2006), Screenplay
- *Avida* (2006), as Le richa paranoïaque
- *Belle Toujours* (2006), Thanks
- *Birth* (2004), Screenplay
- *Les Thibault* (2003), series, as Maître Roubiot
- *Letter from an Unknown Woman* (2002), Writer
- *Ruy Blas* (2002), Screenplay
- *Biblioteca Mindlin* (2002), Actor
- *The Battle of Hernani* (2002), Writer
- *Bunuel and King Solomon's Table* (2001), as David Goldman
- *Madame De...* (2001), as Le ministre · Writer
- *Bérénice* (2000), Writer
- *Salsa* (2000), Writer
- *Broken Dolls* (1999), Story
- *Clarissa* (1998), Writer
- *War in the Highlands* (1998), Writer
- *Les paradoxes de Buñuel* (1998), Screenplay
- *Chinese Box* (1997), Writer
- *The Ogre* (1996), Screenplay
- *Golden Boy* (1996), Writer
- *The Horseman on the Roof* (1995), Screenplay
- *La duchesse de Langeais* (1995), Writer
- *The Night and the Moment* (1995), as The Governor · Screenplay
- *Sommersby* (1993), Original Film Writer — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/sommersby.md)
- *Dispute in Valladolid* (1992), Writer
- *The Return of Casanova* (1992), Writer
- *At Play in the Fields of the Lord* (1991), Screenplay
- *Bouvard et Pécuchet* (1990), as Récitant
- *Cyrano de Bergerac* (1990), Screenplay — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/cyrano-de-bergerac.md)
- *The Mahabharata* (1990), series, Writer, Theatre Play
- *Hard to Be a God* (1990), Writer
- *May Fools* (1990), Screenplay
- *The Mahabharata* (1990), Writer, Theatre Play
- *Valmont* (1989), Screenplay
- *J'écris dans l'espace* (1989), Screenplay
- *The Owl's Legacy* (1989), series, Writer
- *The Silent Woman* (1989), Screenplay
- *The Bengali Night* (1988), Writer
- *The Possessed* (1988), Screenplay
- *The Unbearable Lightness of Being* (1988), Screenplay — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/the-unbearable-lightness-of-being.md)
- *The Discoveries of a Modern Couple* (1986), Writer
- *Exploits of a Young Don Juan* (1986), Writer
- *Max My Love* (1986), Writer
- *The Wolf at the Door* (1986), Scenario Writer
- *Sea Workers* (1986), Writer
- *L'unique* (1986), Writer, Dialogue
- *The Young Girl and Hell* (1986), Writer
- *Lancement réussi* (1985), Scenario Writer
- *Vive les femmes !* (1984), as The deaf-mute
- *Swann in Love* (1984), Writer
- *L'aide-mémoire* (1984), Writer
- *The Tragedy of Carmen* (1983), Writer
- *The General of the Dead Army* (1983), Writer
- *Side Roads* (1983), Writer
- *Credo* (1983), Writer
- *Danton* (1983), Screenplay
- *Antonieta* (1982), Writer
- *L'Indiscrétion* (1982), Writer
- *The Secrets of the Princesse de Cadignan* (1982), Writer
- *Godard's Passion* (1982), Writer
- *The Return of Martin Guerre* (1982), Screenplay
- *La Cerisaie* (1982), Adaptation
- *La Double Vie de Théophraste Longuet* (1981), series, Adaptation, Dialogue
- *Circle of Deceit* (1981), Writer
- *L'Amour nu* (1981), as Le professeur
- *Black Mirror* (1981), Screenplay
- *Lundi* (1980), Screenplay, Dialogue
- *Every Man for Himself* (1980), Writer
- *The Associate* (1979), as Un homme présent à la lecture du testament, Un homme à la lecture du testament (uncredited) · Dialogue, Screenplay
- *The Tin Drum* (1979), Screenplay — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/the-tin-drum.md)
- *Return to the Beloved* (1979), Writer
- *L'Homme en colère* (1979), Writer
- *These Kids Are Grown-Ups* (1979), as Le psychiatre (uncredited) · Writer
- *Beef Cattle* (1979), Writer
- *Photo-souvenir* (1978), as Prof. Henri Quissard · Writer
- *Surprise Sock* (1978), as Fournier · Writer
- *Butterfly on the Shoulder* (1978), Screenplay
- *Le Franc-tireur* (1978), Writer
- *That Obscure Object of Desire* (1977), Screenplay
- *Julie pot-de-colle* (1977), Writer
- *The Gang* (1977), Screenplay
- *The Game of Solitaire* (1976), as Luc
- *The Garden of Torment* (1976), as The ship's captain
- *Leonor* (1975), Writer
- *Flesh of the Orchid* (1975), Writer
- *Serious as Pleasure* (1975), as Le chef d'etage (uncredited) · Writer
- *Weak Spot* (1975), Screenplay
- *The Woman with Red Boots* (1974), Screenplay
- *The Phantom of Liberty* (1974), Writer
- *Life Size* (1974), Writer
- *France, Incorporated* (1974), Writer
- *Dorothea's Revenge* (1974), Screenplay
- *The Outside Man* (1972), Story, Screenplay
- *The Monk* (1972), Screenplay
- *The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie* (1972), Screenplay — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/the-discreet-charm-of-the-bourgeoisie.md)
- *The Right to Love* (1972), Screenplay
- *Liza* (1972), Writer
- *A Little Sun in Cold Water* (1971), as François · Screenplay
- *Taking Off* (1971), Writer
- *The Wedding Ring* (1971), as Hugues · Writer
- *Borsalino* (1970), Writer
- *Le Grand Amour* (1969), Screenplay
- *The Milky Way* (1969), as Priscillian · Writer
- *The Swimming Pool* (1969), Writer
- *The Nail Clippers* (1969), Director, Screenplay
- *For a Distant Love* (1968), Writer
- *Belle de Jour* (1967), Screenplay — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/belle-de-jour.md)
- *The Thief of Paris* (1967), Screenplay
- *The Diabolical Dr. Z* (1966), Screenplay
- *Attack of the Robots* (1966), Screenplay
- *Hotel Paradiso* (1966), Writer
- *As Long as You've Got Your Health* (1966), Writer
- *Viva Maria!* (1965), Screenplay
- *Bestiary of Love* (1965), Writer
- *The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe* (1965), series, Writer
- *Yoyo* (1965), Screenplay
- *Diary of a Chambermaid* (1964), as Le curé · Writer
- *Happy Anniversary* (1963), Co-Writer, Director
- *Insomnia* (1963), Writer
- *The Suitor* (1962), as TV presenter (uncredited) · Screenplay
- *Rupture* (1961), Co-Writer, Director
- *Micromeo*, Writer

## Gallery

- ![Jean-Claude Carrière](https://film.one/media/person/77904/gallery-b289ee08a93f.jpg) Jean-Claude Carrière — Studio Harcourt, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/71/CARRIERE_Jean_Claude-24x30-2006.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Jean-Claude Carrière fixe l'objectif, le torse légèrement tourné vers sa droite, l'air grave et concentré. Il porte les cheveux bruns, courts. Il est vêtu d'une (1959)](https://film.one/media/person/77904/gallery-67335f9d24e7.jpg) Jean-Claude Carrière fixe l'objectif, le torse légèrement tourné vers sa droite, l'air grave et concentré. Il porte les cheveux bruns, courts. Il est vêtu d'une (1959) — Inconnu, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/46/Identite-JC-Carriere-1959-Sacem.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Jean-Claude Carrière (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/77904/gallery-dd18c652c999.jpg) Jean-Claude Carrière (2016) — Fryta 73 from Strzegom, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c4/Jean-Claude_Carri%C3%A8re_2016-12-11_%2831588933085%29.jpg/1280px-Jean-Claude_Carri%C3%A8re_2016-12-11_%2831588933085%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Jean-Claude Carrière (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/77904/gallery-3804583fe72a.jpg) Jean-Claude Carrière (2016) — Fryta 73 from Strzegom, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/Jean-Claude_Carri%C3%A8re_2016-12-11_%2831588933085%29_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Jean-Claude_Carri%C3%A8re_2016-12-11_%2831588933085%29_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Jean-Claude Carrière](https://film.one/media/person/77904/gallery-59f60cfe86d5.jpg) Jean-Claude Carrière — Image via TMDB
- ![Jean-Claude Carrière](https://film.one/media/person/77904/gallery-dc5f2e0270c3.jpg) Jean-Claude Carrière — Image via TMDB
- ![Jean-Claude Carrière](https://film.one/media/person/77904/gallery-be4b8e9e0287.jpg) Jean-Claude Carrière — Image via TMDB
- ![Jean-Claude Carrière (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/77904/gallery-dbfa9ee098d3.jpg) Jean-Claude Carrière (2016) — Fryta 73 from Strzegom, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/Jean-Claude_Carri%C3%A8re_2016-12-11_%2831588933085%29_%28headshot%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Screenwriter Jean-Claude Carrière giving a lecture on scenario writing at the Bibliothèque Nationale de France during the festival Paris-Cinéma. (2008)](https://film.one/media/person/77904/gallery-eeb5c051e131.jpg) Screenwriter Jean-Claude Carrière giving a lecture on scenario writing at the Bibliothèque Nationale de France during the festival Paris-Cinéma. (2008) — This photo was taken by Roman Bonnefoy (  Romanceor [parlons-en]). Feel free to use my pictures, but please credit me as the author (as required by the license).
An   email or a message would be welcome.
More free-licensed pictures on my french Wikipedia account. 
My website : www.romanceor.net., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/Jean-Claude_Carri%C3%A8re_%C3%A0_la_BNF.jpg/1280px-Jean-Claude_Carri%C3%A8re_%C3%A0_la_BNF.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Jean-Claude Carrière](https://film.one/media/person/77904/gallery-e36f2a952c07.jpg) Jean-Claude Carrière — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 1 won, 3 nominated

- 1989: Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay (nominated), for *The Unbearable Lightness of Being*
- 1978: Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay (nominated), for *That Obscure Object of Desire*
- 1973: Best Writing, Original Screenplay (nominated), for *The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie*
- 1963: Best Live Action Short Film (won)

### Other awards — 4 won

- Commander of the Legion of Honour 2017: Commander of the Legion of Honour (won)
- European Film Academy Lifetime Achievement Award 2016: European Film Academy Lifetime Achievement Award (won)
- Academy Honorary Award 2015: Academy Honorary Award (won)
- Commander of the National Order of Merit 2013: Commander of the National Order of Merit (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/jean-claude-carriere