- Best Picture
- Thomas Langmann
- Best Directing
- Michel Hazanavicius
- BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
- Jean Dujardin
- BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
- James Cromwell
- John Goodman
- BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
- Bérénice Bejo
- Penelope Ann Miller
- BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
- Michel Hazanavicius
- BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
- Guillaume Schiffman
- BEST FILM EDITING
- Michel Hazanavicius
- Anne-Sophie Bion
- BEST ART DIRECTION
- Laurence Bennett (Production Designer)
- Robert Gould (Set Decorator)
- BEST COSTUME DESIGN
- Mark Bridges
- BEST MAKEUP
- Julie Hewett (Make-Up)
- Cydney Cornell (Hair)
- BEST MUSIC (ORIGNAL SCORE)
- Ludovic Bource
- BEST SOUND MIXING
- Gérard Lamps (Sound Mixer)
- Michael Krikorian (Sound Mixer)
- BEST SOUND EDITING
- Nadine Muse (Sound editor)
- BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
- David Danesi (Visual effects)
- Philippe Aubry (Visual effects)
- Laurent Brett (Visual effects)

“Why ‘The Artist’ should win the best picture Oscar” Read More
“‘The Artist’ two stars talk” Read More
“Oscars Q&A: Thomas Langmann On The Creative Gamble Of Making ‘The Artist’” Read More
“Producers Guild Awards: ‘The Artist’ takes home top honors” Read More
“‘The Artists’ leads the way with 12 BAFTA nominations”
Read More
“‘The Artists’ Takes Top Honors at Globes” Read More
“Critics' Choice Awards dominated by ‘The Artists’” Read More
“‘The Artists’ nominated for Outstanding Achievement Awards in Cinematography!” Read More
“Michel Hazanavicius gets Directors Guild of America nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film!” Read More
“‘The Artists’ has been nominated Best Theatrical Motion Picture from the Producers Guild of America!” Read More
“Michel Hazanavicius has been nominated for the Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film Award for ‘The Artists’!” Read More
“‘The Artist’ is nominated for Best Theatrical Motion Picture from the PGA” Read More
“‘The Artist’ is nominated for Excellence in Production Design for a Feature Film from the Art Director’s Guild”
Read More
“Berenice Bejo wins Best Actress and ‘The Artist’ selected as Film of the Year at Capri, Hollywood – The International Film Festival” Read More
“Maybe It Should be Called ‘The Artists’” Read More
“‘The Artist’ puts '20s fashion on display, with costume designer Mark Bridges” Read More
“‘The Artist’ Leads 2011 Golden Globe Nominations With Six Bids” Read More
“In the case of ‘The Artist’, Silence is Golden” Read More
“The Best of Movies! An effervescent treat for anyone open to sheer joy!” Read More
“5 Stars! ‘The Artist’ is a joyous and enchanting film!”
Read More
“4 Stars! ‘The Artist’ is an elegant love letter to a simpler age of movies” Read More
‘The Artist’: The silent film they said no one wanted to see Read More
“4 Stars! One of the best movies of the year!” Read More
“‘The Artist’: A ‘Silent’ Film to Sing About” Read More
“‘The Artist’ is the new talk of the town.” Read More
“‘The Artist’ is an irresistible reminder of nearly everything that makes the movies great.” Read More
“Dujardin's performance is a revelation” Read More
“‘The Artist’ is a both a love story and a love letter to the golden age of cinema” Read More
“Critic’s Notebook: The charmed life of ‘The Artist’”
Read More
“‘The Artist’: Movie Of The Year” Read More
“‘The Artist’: The Not-So-Silent Entry” Read More
‘The Artist’ A Joyous, Big Hearted Tribute To Old School Moviemaking Read More
Better Times: ‘The Artist’ Read More
‘The Artist’: Silents are still golden Read More
‘The Artist’ Brings Down the House at Cannes Read More
‘The Artist’ at Cannes: A remarkable achievement Read More
Buzz is growing over a silent film Read More
Silence Is Golden Read More
‘The Artist’ Wins Audience Award at Hamptons International Film Festival Read More
French Twist: A Comic Does Nuance Read More

Hollywood, 1927. George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is one of Hollywood’s reigning silent screen idols, instantly recognizable with his slim moustache and signature white tie and tails. Starring in exotic tales of intrigue and derring-do, the actor has turned out hit after hit for Kinograph, the studio run by cigar-chomping mogul Al Zimmer (John Goodman).

His success has brought him an elegant mansion and an equally elegant wife, Doris (Penelope Ann Miller). Chauffeured to the studio each day by his devoted driver Clifton (James Cromwell), George is greeted by his own smiling image, emblazoned on the posters prominently placed throughout the Kinograph lot. As he happily mugs for a rapturous fans and reporters at his latest film premiere, George is a man indistinguishable from his persona -- and a star secure in his future.

For young dancer Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo), the future will be what she makes of it. Vivacious and good-humored, with an incandescent smile and a flapper’s ease of movement, Peppy first crosses George’s path at his film premiere and then as an extra on his latest film at Kinograph. As they film a brief dance sequence, the leading man and the newcomer fall into a natural rhythm, the machinery of moviemaking fading into the background. But the day must finally end, sending the matinee idol and the eager hopeful back to their respective places on the Hollywood ladder.

And Hollywood itself will soon fall under sway of a captivating new starlet: talking pictures. George wants no part of the new technology, scorning the talkie as a vulgar fad destined for the dustbin. By 1929, Kinograph is preparing to cease all silent film production and George faces a choice: embrace sound, like the rising young star Peppy Miller; or risk a slide into obscurity.

Winner of the prize for Best Actor at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, Michel Hazanavicius’ THE ARTIST is a heartfelt and entertaining valentine to classic American cinema. Mixing comedy, romance and melodrama to tell a story set at an epochal moment in movie history, THE ARTIST is itself an example of the form it celebrates: a black-and-white silent film that relies on images, actors and music to weave its singular spell.

The Weinstein Company presents THE ARTIST, written and directed by Michael Hazanavicius and produced by Thomas Langmann. Starring Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo, John Goodman, James Cromwell, Penelope Ann Miller, Missi Pyle, Beth Grant, Ed Lauter, Joel Murray, Bitsie Tulloch, Ken Davitan and Malcolm McDowell. With Uggie as The Dog.

Jean Dujardin
Bérénice Bejo
James Cromwell
John Goodman
Beth Grant
Malcolm McDowell
Penelope Ann Miller
Missi Pyle
Uggie

George Valentin

One of France’s biggest stars, actor/writer/director Jean Dujardin began his performing career in Paris comedy clubs. In the late 1990s, he co-founded the popular sketch comedy troupe Nous C Nous, which broke through to the French public through multiple wins on television talent competition series “Graines des stars” and went on to appear on France’s most successful talk shows. Dujardin’s solo career began to take off when he became the star of the hit sitcom “Un gars une fille,” which aired from 1999 to 2003; he also wrote several episodes of the series. After acting in the short ensemble comedy A L’ABRI DES REGARDS INDISCRETS 2002, Dujardin made his feature debut in the 2002 comedy IF I WERE A RICH MAN. Increasingly prominent film roles in films such as MARIAGES (2003) followed and in 2004, Dujardin starred in and wrote the hit comedy BRICE DE NICE, (2004), which was based on his original sketch.

In 2004, Dujardin acted in his first screen drama, Nicolas Boukhrief’s LE CONVOYEUR by Nicolas Boukhrief. He began his successful collaboration with writer/director Michel Hazanavicius with his star turn as secret agent OSS 117 in the filmmaker’s hit spy pastiche OSS 117 - CAIRO, NEST OF SPIES. Dujardin’s performance as the suave spy garnered him a César Award nomination for Best Actor. He and Hazanavicius reteamed for the sequel, the equally beloved OSS 117 – LOST IN RIO, released in 2009.

The actor’s other credits include Jan Kounen’s comedy 99 FRANCS, Franck Mancuso’s crime drama COUNTER-INVESTIGATION; Francis Huster’s A MAN AND HIS DOG with Jean Paul Belmondo; James Huth’s comic western LUCKY LUKE, for which he co-wrote the screenplay; Bertrand Blier’s THE CLINK OF ICE; Guillaume Canet’s LITTLE WHITE LIES with Marion Cotillard; and Nicole Garcia’s A VIEW OF LOVE.

John Goodman

Zimmer

An acclaimed veteran of stage, film and television, John Goodman has garnered many accolades during his career, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor and seven Emmy nominations for his role in “Roseanne.” He also earned Emmy nominations for his starring roles in TNT’s KINGFISH: A STORY OF HUEY P. LONG and CBS’s production of Tennessee Williams’ A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE; and a Golden Globe nomination for his performance in the Coen Brothers BARTON FINK. In 2007, Goodman won his second Emmy, for Outstanding Guest Actor, on “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.” His performance in the recent HBO biopic YOU DON’T KNOW JACK earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie and a SAG nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries.

Goodman is starring in the fourth season of DirecTV’s “Damages,” playing the CEO of a mysterious military contractor who is put on trial in a wrongful-death suit. In addition, Goodman has joined NBC’s “Community” as the new vice dean of Greendale's well-known air -conditioning program. His recent TV credits include the HBO drama “Treme.”

Goodman’s upcoming film projects the drama EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE and the political thriller ARGO. Previous film credits include IN THE ELECTRIC MIST; CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC; SPEED RACER; BEE MOVIE; POPE JOAN; ALABAMA MOON; GIGANTIC; MARILYN HOTCHKISS’ BALLROOM DANCING AND CHARM SCHOOL; BEYOND THE SEA; MASKED AND ANONYMOUS; STORYTELLING; O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?; COYOTE UGLY; WHAT PLANET ARE YOU FROM?; ONE NIGHT AT MCCOOL'S; BRINGING OUT THE DEAD; FALLEN; THE BORROWERS; BLUES BROTHERS 2000; THE RUNNER; THE FLINTSTONES; MOTHER NIGHT; ARACHNOPHOBIA; ALWAYS; PIE IN THE SKY; BORN YESTERDAY; MATINEE; THE BABE; KING RALPH; PUNCHLINE; EVERYBODY'S ALL-AMERICAN; SEA OF LOVE; STELLA; EDDIE MACON'S RUN; C.H.U.D.; REVENGE OF THE NERDS; MARIA'S LOVERS; SWEET DREAMS; TRUE STORIES; THE BIG EASY; BURGLAR” “THE WRONG GUYS; RAISING ARIZONA; and THE BIG LEBOWSKI.

He has lent his voice to numerous animated films, including MONSTERS, INC., THE EMPEROR’S NEW GROOVE and THE JUNGLE BOOK II. He also voiced a main character in NBC’s animated series “Father of the Pride” and provided the voice of Ed “Big Daddy” Roth in the documentary TALES OF THE RAT FINK.

Goodman starred on Broadway in “Waiting for Godot,” for which he received rave reviews as Pozzo. Goodman’s other stage credits include many dinner theatre and children's theatre productions, as well as several off-Broadway plays. His regional theatre credits include “Henry IV, Parts I and II,” “Antony and Cleopatra,” “As You Like It” and “A Christmas Carol.” He performed in a road production of “The Robber Bridegroom” and starred in two Broadway shows, “Loose Ends” in 1979 and “Big River” in 1985. In 2001, he starred in the NY Shakespeare Festival Central Park staging of “The Seagull” directed by Mike Nichols. The following year Goodman appeared on Broadway in the Public Theatre’s “Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui”.

Goodman went to Southwest Missouri State intending to play football, but an injury forced him to switch his major to drama. He never returned to football and graduated with a degree in Theatre. He and Goodman and his family have homes in Los Angeles and New Orleans.

Penelope Ann Miller

Doris

Penelope Ann Miller has shared the screen with some of the most notable and renowned leading men and directors in Hollywood. This distinguished list includes Al Pacino and Sean Penn in director Brian de Palma’s CARLITO’S WAY, for which she received a Golden Globe nomination; Marlon Brando and Matthew Broderick in Andrew Bergman’s THE FRESHMAN; Robert De Niro and Robin Williams in Penny Marshall’s AWAKENINGS; Robert Downey Jr. in Sir Richard Attenborough’s CHAPLIN; Danny DeVito and Gregory Peck in Norman Jewison’s OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY; Matthew Broderick & Christopher Walken in Mike Nichols’ BILOXI BLUES; and Arnold Schwarzenegger in Ivan Reitman’s KINDERGARTEN COP.

Miller was honored with a Career Achievement Award at the 2011 Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival. She recently completed filming on the independent period piece SAVING LINCOLN which tells the story of Lincoln’s presidency and assassination through the eyes of the US Marshall, Ward Hill Lamon, who was tasked with protecting him. Miller plays Mary Todd Lincoln. She has also completed Avi Arad’s science fiction family adventure ROBOSAPIEN, and the independent 1950’s drama SAVING GRACE B. JONES.

Her recent credits include THINK OF ME, opposite Lauren Ambrose, which screened at the 2011 Toronto Film Festival; Rob Reiner’s latest film, FLIPPED; and the box office hit THE MESSENGERS, opposite Kristen Stewart. Miller also was seen playing Ray Romano’s recently separated wife in the critically acclaimed drama “Men of a Certain Age” on TNT.

Miller was named “Star of Tomorrow” by the Motion Picture Bookers Club and “Most Promising Actress” by the Chicago Film Critics Association. She received a special jury award for Best Performance at the Hollywood Film Festival for her role in the independent feature RHAPSODY IN BLOOM, and a Tony Award nomination for her performance in the Tony-winning Broadway revival of “Our Town.” Her television credits include the made-for-television films ROCKY MARCIANO, opposite Jon Favreau and George C. Scott; THE LAST DON, opposite Joe Mantegna; THE MARY KAY LETOURNEAU STORY, for which she won critical acclaim; and RUDY: THE RUDY GIULIANI STORY, opposite James Woods.

Miller left her native Los Angeles when she was 18 and moved to New York, where she studied acting at HB Studios under Herbert Berghoff. Two years later, Miller got her big break on Broadway when she originated the role of Daisy Hanningan in Neil Simon's Tony Award-winning play “Biloxi Blues.” Later, she would reprise her role in Universal’s film version, directed by Mike Nichols.

Miller currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two daughters.

James Cromwell

Clifton

James Cromwell received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for his memorable performance as Farmer Hoggett in the international smash BABE. He went on to play the role in the hit sequel BABE: PIG IN THE CITY. Cromwell’s other memorable motion picture work includes THE LONGEST YARD; I, ROBOT; SPACE COWBOYS, THE GREEN MILE; THE GENERAL’S DAUGHTER; SNOW FALLING ON CEDARS; THE BACHELOR; THE SUM OF ALL FEARS, STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT; THE PEOPLE VS. LARRY FLYNT; SPIRIT: STALLION OF THE CIMARRON; THE QUEEN; BECOMING JANE; THE EDUCATION OF LITTLE TREE; SECRETARIAT; SPIDERMAN THREE; and L.A. CONFIDENTIAL, in which he gave a memorable performance as Police Captain Dudley Smith. He will next be seen in the charming family drama COWGIRLS & ANGELS.

Cromwell was notably seen on the Fox hit series “24” as Phillip Bauer, father of Kiefer Sutherland’s Jack Bauer. Cromwell earned multiple Emmy nominations for his work on the HBO original series “Six Feet Under,” the HBO movie “RKO 281,” and the NBC drama “ER.” His body of work encompasses dozens of series, miniseries and movies-of-the-week, including a starring role in TNT’s A SLIGHT CASE OF MURDER, a cameo appearance in HBO’s ANGELS IN AMERICA, “The West Wing,” “Picket Fences,” “Home Improvement,” “L.A. Law” and “Star Trek: The Next Generation.”

Cromwell has also performed in many revered plays, including “Hamlet,” “The Iceman Cometh,” “Devil’s Disciple,” “All’s Well That Ends Well,” “Beckett” and “Othello,” in many of the country’s most distinguished theatres, including the South Coast Repertory, the Goodman Theatre, the Mark Taper Forum, the American Shakespeare Festival, Center Stage, the Long Wharf Theatre and the Old Globe. He recently played A. E. Houseman in the American premiere of Tom Stoppard’s “The Invention of Love” at A.C.T. in San Francisco. Cromwell has directed at resident theatres across the country and was the founder and Artistic Director of his own company, Stage West, in Springfield, Massachusetts. He also co-directed a short film, which was shown at the London Film Festival.

Born in Los Angeles, Cromwell grew up in New York and Waterford, Connecticut, and studied at Carnegie Mellon University (then Carnegie Tech). His father, John Cromwell, an acclaimed actor and director, was one of the first presidents of the Screen Directors Guild. His mother, Kay Johnson, was a stage and film actress.

Missi Pyle

Constance

Born in Texas and raised in Tennessee, Missi Pyle attended the North Carolina School of the Arts and moved to New York after her graduation to pursue a career in theater. She worked in Off-Broadway theater, where she performed opposite John Malkovich in Steppenwolf Theater Company's "The Libertine." She soon made her film debut opposite Helen Hunt in AS GOOD AS IT GETS and moved on to land major roles in television and feature films.

Pyle's film credits include CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, DODGEBALL: A TRUE UNDERDOG STORY, BIG FISH, BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE, FEAST OF LOVE, and ANCHORMAN: THE LEGEND OF RON BURGUNDY. She gained attention for her hilarious portrayal of the alien "Laliari" in the hit comedy GALAXY QUEST, with Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, and Tony Shalhoub." Pyle's resume also includes a number of notable television appearances, including "Heroes," "The Sarah Silverman Show," "My Name is Earl," "Two and a Half Men," and "Friends." Impressed by Pyle’s work on “Boston Legal,” writer/producer David E. Kelley crafted a role in his later series, “The Wedding Bells, with her in mind.

Pyle’s has a full slate of upcoming films due for release in the next several months: SPRING BREAKDOWN, with Amy Poehler, Amber Tamblyn, and Rachel Dratch; FORK IN THE ROAD, with Jamie King; PATRIOTVILLE, with Rob Corrdry and Justin Long; VISIONEERS, with Judy Greer and Zach Galifianakis; MISS NOBODY, opposite Leslie Bibb; and PRETTY UGLY PEOPLE.

Pyle performs with the all-female comedy sketch group "Bitches Funny" and regularly performs stand-up at such venues as The Comedy Store, The Improv and Area 51. She currently resides in Los Angeles and has two dogs, J.J. and Ellie.

Malcolm McDowell

Day Player

Malcolm McDowell is arguably among the most dynamic and inventive of world-class actors, yet also one capable of immense charm, humor and poignancy. McDowell has created a gallery of iconographic characters since catapulting to the screen as Mick Travis, the rebellious upperclassman in Lindsay Anderson's prize-winning sensation IF..... McDowell’s place in movie history was subsequently secured when Stanley Kubrick finally found the actor he was searching for to play the gleefully amoral Alex in A CLOCKWORK ORANGE; when McDowell himself conceived the idea for Mick Travis' further adventures in Anderson's Candide-like masterpiece, O LUCKY MAN!; and when he wooed Mary Steenburgen and defeated Jack the Ripper as the romantically inquisitive H.G. Wells in TIME AFTER TIME. Those legendary roles are among the ones that have endured with legions of filmgoers while new adherents have been won over by his tyrannical Soran (who destroys Capt. Kirk) in "Star Trek: Generations"; his Machiavellian Mr. Roarke in "Fantasy Island" and his comically pompous professor Steve Pynchon in the critically hailed CBS television series, "Pearl," starring opposite Rhea Perlman.

For his motion picture work, the American Cinematheque honored him with a retrospective in June 2001, highlighted by showings of his electrifying performances in two major works: Paul McGuigan's GANGSTER NO. 1, in which McDowell and Paul Bettany portray the consumed, driven title character, and which affords McDowell the chance to create a character both on screen and through nuanced voice-over; and Russian director Karen Chakhnazarov's acclaimed and rarely seen ASSASSIN OF THE TSAR. McDowell has created distinctive characters in such films as Richard Lester's ROYAL FLASH; Paul Schrader's CAT PEOPLE; Rachel Talalay's TANK GIRL; Joseph Losey's FIGURES IN A LANDSCAPE; Bryan Forbes' THE RAGING MOON; and Blake Edwards' SUNSET. His film credits are further highlighted by his compellingly sinister CALIGULA; the brilliant literary editor Maxwell Perkins in Martin Ritt's CROSS CREEK; his cameo in Robert Altman's THE PLAYER; and his final incarnation of Mick Travis in BRITANNIA HOSPITAL, the third film in Anderson's trilogy marking the disintegration of British culture. McDowell's film work also includes BOBBY JONES: STROKE OF GENIUS; IN GOOD COMPANY; I SPY; Robert Altman's THE COMPANY; Robert Downey Sr.'s HUGO POOL with Sean Penn, Robert Downey Jr. and Cathy Moriarty; JUST VISITING; MR. MAGOO; Hugh Hudson's MY LIFE SO FAR; BLUE THUNDER; Neil Marshall’s DOOMSDAY; Rob Zombie’s HALLOWEEN I & II; and Disney’s animated box office hit, BOLT. Upcoming films for 2012 include Amy Heckerling’s VAMPS with Sigourney Weaver and Alicia Silverstone and SILENT HILL 2.

On television, McDowell has had recurring roles on the hit HBO series, “Entourage,” NBC’s “Heroes,” and CBS’s hit show “The Mentalist.” In summer of 2011, McDowell starred in TNT’s newest series, “Franklin & Bash,” an immediate hit that has been picked up for a second season.

Beth Grant

Peppy’s Maid

Beth Grant has starred in over seventy feature films including two Best Picture Academy Award winners, NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, and RAIN MAN. She received the Screen Actors Guild Ensemble Award for LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE and NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN.

Grant received the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award, the L.A. Stage Alliance Ovation Award, and The Backstage West Garland Award for Lead Actress in Del Shores’ “The Trials and Tribulations of a Trailer Trash Housewife,” now a feature film due out in 2012. She recently won her third L.A. Stage Alliance Ovation Award for Lead Actress in a play for 2010’s “Grace and Glorie” by John Zeigler at The Colony Theatre.

Other theatre credits include world premieres of “On a Southern Journey” by Maya Angelou; “Holy Ghosts’ by Romulus Linney; “The Day Emily Married” by Horton Foote; and “Cornelia” by Mark V. Olsen at The Old Globe in San Diego. Grant also enjoyed two stints at The Ahmanson in “Picnic” and “Summer And Smoke,” directed by Marshall Mason.

Other popular films credits are DONNIE DARKO, SORDID LIVES, FACTORY GIRL, ROCK STAR, THE ROOKIE, SPEED, TO WONG FOO, A TIME TO KILL, EXTRACT, and RANGO.

Favorite television roles include “Pushing Daisies,” “The Office,” “Jericho,” “Six Feet Under,” “My Name is Earl,” “Malcolm in the Middle,” “King of the Hill,” “Coach,” “Wonderfalls,” “Friends,” “The X Files,” “Angel,” “Medium,” “Criminal Minds,” “CSI,” “Delta,” “Coach” and “Yes, Dear.”

Grant has written a play with Judy Nagy, “The New York Way,” with music by Rupert Holmes, about her coming of age in New York City in the 1970’s, set for production in New York next year. It stars her daughter, Mary Chieffo, who is a freshman at The Juilliard School, Drama Division. Grant has been happily married to fellow actor Michael Chieffo for twenty-five years.

Bérénice Bejo

Peppy Miller

Born in Argentina, Bérénice Bejo arrived in France when she was 3. She made her feature film debut in the 1996 film festival favorite LES SOEURS HAMELT (THE HAMLET SISTERS). Following a breakout role in Gérard Jugnot’s hit 2000 comedy MOST PROMISING YOUNG ACTRESS (MEILLEUR ESPOIR FEMININE), Bejo made her American feature film debut in Brian Helgeland’s A KNIGHT’S TALE, starring Heath Ledger. She subsequently starred in Laurent Bouhnik’s 24 HOURS IN THE LIFE OF A WOMAN (24 HEURES DE LA VIE D’UNE FEMME), adapted from the famed novella Letter from an Unknown Woman. She has starred in two films with director Seve Suissa, THE GREAT ROLE (LE GRAND ROLE) and CAVALCADE in 2005.

In 2006, she co-starred opposite Jean Dujardin in Michel Hazanavicius’s hit comedy OSS 117 - CAIRO, NEST OF SPIES. Her subsequent credits include Barthélémy Grossman’s 13m², Manuel Poirier’s THE HOUSE (LA MAISON) and Stéphane Kazandjian’s romantic comedy MODERN LOVE. In 2009, Bejo provided voice-over for the documentary HENRI-GEORGE CLUZOT’S INFERNO, reading passages from the director screenplay for his unfinished psychological drama L’ENFER.

Ed Lauter

Peppy’s Butler

An arresting onscreen presence for over four decades, Ed Lauter has starred in a wide range of film and television productions, portraying portrayed an eclectic array of characters, including (but not limited to), authority/military figures, edgy villains, and good-hearted heavies. He has worked with directors including Alfred Hitchcock, Robert Benton and Oliver Stone; and acting luminaries such as Lee Marvin, Burt Lancaster, George C. Scott, Paul Newman, Charles Bronson, Anthony Hopkins, Ann Margret, Jeff Bridges and Angela Lansbury. He made his feature film debut the 1972 western THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN RIDE, and gave a memorable performance as the stern Capt. Wilhelm Knauer in 1974's THE LONGEST YARD (Lauter also made a cameo in the 2005 remake). His extensive list of film credits includes THE LAST AMERICAN HERO; FAMILY PLOT; MAGIC; CUJO; FAT MAN AND LITTLE BOY; BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY; LEAVING LAS VEGAS; THIRTEEN DAYS; SEABISCUIT and SERAPHIM FALLS. His many television credits includes the series “Streets of San Francisco,” “Miami Vice,” “The X-Files,””Law and Order,” “Walker, Texas Ranger,” “Homicide: Life on the Street,” “ER,” and, most recently, “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Psych.”

Joel Murray

Policeman

Joel Murray is the youngest of a family of nine from Wilmette Illinois, where he got his start doing local children’s theatre and high school musicals. He did plays at Northern Illinois University and Loyola University of Chicago and also performed with the Remains and the Organic Theatre Companies in Chicago. He was part of the group that started the I.O. (Improv Olympic) in Chicago and went on the work on stage for The Second City Theatre for five years.

Murray’s upcoming films include LAY THE FAVORITE and GOD BLESS AMERICA. Other films credits include ONE CRAZY SUMMER; SCROOGED; LONG GONE; SHAKES THE CLOWN; THE CABLE GUY; and HATCHET 1 and 2. He has been a series regular on the sitcoms “Grand,” “Pacific Station,” “Love and War,” “Dharma and Greg” and “Still Standing.” He made dramatic turns with the role of Freddy Rumsen on AMC’s “Mad Men” and an appearance last year on Showtime’s “Shameless.”

Murray has voiced numerous cartoons and commercials, enjoying an eleven-year stint as the voice of Chester the Cheetah for Cheetos. He has a voice role in the upcoming Pixar release MONSTERS UNIVERSITY.

Murray writes and has directed various short films, including THE ONE ABOUT THE NUN AND THE PRIEST, and has directed episodes of the sit-coms “The Big Bang Theory,” “Dharma and Greg” and “Still Standing.” He wrote, directed and produced the short-lived golf comedy, “The Sweet Spot,” for Comedy Central that starred himself and his brothers Brian, Bill and John.

In his free time, Murray coaches football, baseball and basketball.

Ken Davitan

Pawnbroker

Character actor Ken Davitan is perhaps best known for wrestling his way into the Hollywood spotlight as “Azamat Bagatov” in the critically-acclaimed 2006 blockbuster, BORAT: CULTURAL LEARNINGS OF AMERICA FOR MAKE BENEFIT GLORIOUS NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN.

Davitan’s acting career spans 20 years and a host of studio and independent productions. His credits include the box office hit GET SMART, for which he stepped into the shoes of the TV show’s villain ‘Shtarker,’ alongside Steve Carell, Alan Arkin and Anne Hathaway; MEET THE SPARTANS; S.W.A.T.; HOLES; and SOUL MEN with the late Bernie Mac. Among his guest-starring roles on television are “Chuck,” “The Cape,” “The Closer,” “Boston Legal,” “ER,” “Six Feet Under,” “Gilmore Girls” and “The Ghost Whisperer.”

Davitan’s latest projects include the indie feature THE PRANKSTER; the romantic comedy YOU MAY NOT KISS THE BRIDE, with Kathy Bates, Katharine McPhee and Dave Annable; and MELVIN SMARTY.

Davitan lives in his native city, Los Angeles, with his wife of 30 years and their two sons.

Uggie

The Dog

Uggie is a nine year old Jack Russell Terrier born sometime in 2002. He was born in Florida and was re-homed because he was way too wild and high-energy for his first owners to be just a simple companion dog. Professional animal trainer Omar von Muller adopted Uggie and soon after, he started his studio career.

Uggie picked up countless print ads and television commercials for dog food, cars, beer and much more. He traveled with the “Incredible Dogs Show” to Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Mexico and Miami performing live tricks and riding his skateboard (always a crowd pleaser), which is one of his favorite things to do. He has also traveled to South Africa, where he shot a commercial for Savanna Light, also riding the skateboard.

Uggie made his film debut when he was 1½ years old in MR. FIX IT, starring David Boreanaz. This was followed by WHAT’S UP SCARLETT; WASSUP ROCKERS; Disney’s LIFE IS RUFF; and most recently a featured role in the film WATER FOR ELEPHANTS (where he plays the role of "Queenie") starring Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson.

Uggie is a hard working dog, but he is also a much-loved pet. On his off days he lives indoors, and sleeps in the master bedroom with the family, and enjoys the company of several other dog and cat brothers and sisters.

Michel Hazanavicius
Thomas Langmann
Daniel Delume
Antoine De Cazotte
Richard Middleton
Guillaume Schiffman
Laurence Bennett
Anne-Sophie Bion
Mark Bridges
Ludovic Bource
Heidi Levitt

Writer/Director/Editor

THE ARTIST is the first American film by acclaimed French writer/director Michel Hazanavicius. Hazanavicius first broke through as a feature filmmaker with his 2006 comedy OSS 117 - CAIRO, NEST OF SPIES, a spy spoof starring Jean Dujardin. Hazanavicius and Dujardin reteamed three years later for the hit sequel OSS 117 - LOST IN RIO.

Hazanavicius made his feature directorial debut in 1999 with MES AMIES (MY FRIENDS), which he also wrote. He began his career as a director in television. He co-wrote and co-directed the cult television movie LA CLASSE AMÉRICAINE, which dubbed an absurdist mystery narrative over clips from American movies. Hazanavicius made the movie into feature films in 1994, when he made his acting debut in FEAR CITY: A FAMILY-STYLE COMEDY (LA CITÉ DE LA PEUR). Two years later, he transitioned into feature writing as well, with credits including the comedies DELPHINE 1, YVAN 0; THE CLONE (LE CLONE) and LUCKY LUKE AND THE DALTONS.

Thomas Langmann

Producer

The son of the award-winning French filmmaker Claude Berri, Thomas Langmann was raised in the movie business. His choice of career owes much to his father, who wrote and directed such acclaimed films as the four-BAFTA Award-winning classic JEAN DE FLORETTE and also produced many films by fellow directors, including Roman Polanski’s Oscar-nominated TESS.

Langmann began his career as an actor, with theater credits including “The Tempest” staged by Peter Brook, and a play starring famed French humorist Daniel Prévost. He has acted in over a dozen films, working with directors such as Chantal Akerman, Olivier Assayas and Jacques Doillon. He has been nominated three times for the César Award, France’s equivalent of the Oscars: for Most Promising Actor in LES ANNÉES SANDWICHES (1988) and again in PARIS S’EVEILLE (1991); and for Best Supporting Actor in LE NOMBRIL DU MONDE (1994).

Langmann began working behind the camera in 1990, as assistant director on Berri’s URANUS. He subsequently interned on Francis Ford Coppola’s THE GODFATHER: PART III and worked as a gofer on Steven Soderbergh’s KAFKA.

At age 24, Langmann established the production company La Petite Reine. The company got off to a successful start with ASTERIX AND OBELIX TAKE ON CAESAR and ASTERIX AND OBELIX MEET CLEOPATRA, both adapted from the beloved Asterix comic book series. Langmann became a producer himself with DEAD WEIGHT, a hit that brought an audience of more than 3 million into French theaters. In 2004, he co-produced the WWII war drama DAYS OF GLORY, which won the Best Actor Award at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival and received a 2007 Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.

In 2008, Langmann produced, co-wrote and co-directed the European box office hit ASTERIX AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES, the most expensive film ever produced in French history. Also released that year was the critically acclaimed MESRINE saga, MESRINE: KILLER INSTINCT and MESRINE: PUBLIC ENEMY #1. Nominated for 10 César Awards, MESRINE: KILLER INSTINCT won three, including Best Director (Jean-François Richet) and Best Actor (Vincent Cassel).

In addition to THE ARTIST, Langmann has produced in 2011 Christophe Barratier’s THE NEW WAR OF THE BUTTONS and Patrice Leconte’s THE SUICIDE SHOP.

Daniel Delume

Executive Producer

Since 1991, Daniel Delume has worked as a producer and executive producer on numerous European and American films. His credits include THE NEW WAR OF THE BUTTONS, MESRINE : KILLER INSTINCT; MESRINE : PUBLIC ENEMY NO. 1; SOMETIMES IN APRIL; LE CACTUS; MA VIE EN ROSE; and INNOCENT LIES. His work has taken him to 25 countries, including the United States, Ukraine, Morocco, Rwanda, Canada, India, Spain, French Polynesia, England, Belgium and Luxembourg.

A native of Grenoble in the French Alps, DeLume studied film at the famed French movie school Le Conservatoire Libre du Cinema Français. He began working in the film industry in the 1980s with positions as in casting, assistant directing and location managing.

Antoine De Cazotte

Executive Producer

Antoine De Cazotte is currently executive producing the horror remake MANIAC, starring Elijah Wood and Nora Arnezeder; Thomas Langmann and Alexandre Aja are the producers. De Cazotte has worked in production on a variety of film and television projects since the late 1980s. His feature film credits include the recent documentary OCEANS, DANCING NORTH, KABLOONAK, LOLA ZIPPER, PACIFIC PALISADES and LE BONHEUR SE PORT LARGE. Television credits include the made-for-TV movies VILLA VANILLE and LES CARNASSIERS, and the “Un flic nommé Lecoeur” and “Salut les homards.”

A member of the Producers Guild of America since 2011, De Cazotte is the French representative at the PGA and is actively engaged in bringing European projects to the U.S. In 2010, he orchestrated a Memorandum of Agreement linking the PGA and its French counterpart, the APC (Association des producteurs de cinema). Most recently, he organized a Producers Panel at the 2011 Deauville American Film Festival, which brought together producers of THE HELP, BE KIND REWIND, WHERE DO WE GO NOW and BRINGING UP BOBBY to discuss opportunities and strategies for making movies abroad.

Richard Middleton

Executive Producer

Richard Middleton began working in the film business in 1993 as an assistant coordinator on the independent film, SLEEP WITH ME, starring Craig Sheffer, Eric Stoltz and Meg Tilly. Not content with starting above the bottom, Middleton reversed course and worked as a production assistant (and driver) on such notable films as PULP FICTION and THE CROSSING GUARD. The goal of working as many production positions as possible was slowly being realized.

Middleton segued into development in 1995, working with Trimark Pictures, as well as serving as director of development for producer Joel Castleberg, whose producing credits include BODIES, REST AND MOTION, KICKING AND SCREAMING and MR. JEALOUSY. In January of 1996, Middleton was hired as a creative executive at Arnold Kopelson Productions (THE FUGITIVE, SEVEN, PLATOON), where he developed such projects as DEVIL’S ADVOCATE and U.S. MARSHALS.

Middleton left Arnold Kopelson Productions in August of 1996, and packaged his first feature project in May of 1997, entitled THE CURVE. The film, written and directed by Dan Rosen, and starring Dana Delaney, Matthew Lillard and Keri Russell, premiered at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival. Since 2001, Middleton has focused his efforts on producing and production managing, completing twenty-four feature films, with a number of those films selected for the prestigious Sundance and Cannes Film Festivals, including MAY, THE LAST WORD and I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS, in addition to THE ARTIST.

He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

Guillaume Schiffman

Director of Photography

THE ARTIST is Guillaume Schiffman’s 25th film as a director of photography, and his third collaboration with writer/director Michel Hazanavicius, following the hit comedies OSS 117 CAIRO : NEST OF SPIES and OSS 117 - LOST IN RIO. He has shot films for a variety of acclaimed directors, among them Catherine Breillat, Albert Dupontel and Xavier Durringer.

The son of famed screenwriter Isabelle Schiffman, Schiffman began his career as an assistant operator for cinematographer Dominique Chapuis. His first credit as director of photography was in 1992 on Bruno Herbulot’s JUSTE AVANT L’ORAGE. The following year he began a collaboration with director Claude Miller that included the 1994’s THE SMILE (LE SOURIRE) and 1998’s THE CLASS TRIP (LA CLASSE DE NEIGE) in 1998.

Laurence Bennett

Production Designer

Laurence Bennett has just wrapped THE COMPANY YOU KEEP, a political thriller directed by Robert Redford. Redford also stars, along with Shia LaBeouf, Julie Christie, Susan Sarandon, Stanley Tucci, and Anna Kendrick.

Bennett has designed several films for director Paul Haggis, including THE NEXT THREE DAYS starring Russell Crowe; IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH starring Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron; and CRASH, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture, as well as a nomination for Bennett for Excellence in Production Design from the Art Directors Guild. Other films include FREEDOM WRITERS, starring Hilary Swank; and TRAITOR, starring Don Cheadle.

Bennett has designed numerous television pilots and series, including "Grey's Anatomy," "Once and Again," "EZ Streets" and "Thief." He was educated at Occidental College, Los Angeles and Waseda University, Tokyo, and lived in Ireland for ten years before returning to Los Angeles to work in film. In Dublin he had a design practice, worked in fringe theatre, exhibited his paintings, and taught at the National College of Art and Design.   He and his wife Nina live in Clackamas County, Oregon in a 1904 farmhouse they renovated. They share the former homestead property with their dog, cats, chickens, and rabbits.

Anne-Sophie Bion

Editor

Anne-Sophie Bion edited the upcoming adventure THE NEW WAR OF THE BUTTONS and the feature documentary WOMEN ARE HEROES. She has worked as an assistant and first assistant editor on numerous films, including SARAH’S KEY; MICMACS; 8; MESRINE: PUBLIC ENEMY #1; MESRINE: KILLER INSTINCT; I WANT TO SEE; REGARDE-MOI; and FEMALE AGENTS.

Mark Bridges

Costume Designer

Born and raised in Niagara Falls, New York, Mark Bridges received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater Arts from Stony Brook University. He then worked at the legendary Barbara Matera Costumes in New York City as a shopper for a wide range of Broadway, dance and film projects. Following his time at Matera's, Bridges studied for three years at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, and received a Master of Fine Arts degree in costume design. After New York University, Bridges began working in film whenever possible and was Assistant Costume designer on the film IN THE SPIRIT (1990) with Marlo Thomas and Elaine May and design assistant to Colleen Atwood on Jonathan Demme’s MARRIED TO THE MOB (1988).

In 1988, Bridges worked as design assistant for designer Richard Hornung on Joel and Ethan Coen’s MILLER'S CROSSING (1990). In 1989, Bridges relocated to Los Angeles to be assistant costume designer to Hornung on THE GRIFTERS (1990), BARTON FINK (1991), DOC HOLLYWOOD (1991), HERO (1992), DAVE (1993), THE HUDSUCKER PROXY (1994), NATURAL BORN KILLERS (1994), and NIXON (1995).

In 1995, Bridges began his costume design collaboration with Paul Thomas Anderson, designing HARD EIGHT (aka SYDNEY, 1996). Their next work together was on the critically acclaimed BOOGIE NIGHTS (1997), followed by MAGNOLIA (1999), PUNCH DRUNK LOVE (2002) and THERE WILL BE BLOOD (2008), starring Daniel Day Lewis.

Most recently Bridges designed costumes for Anderson’s upcoming THE MASTER, starring Amy Adams, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Joaquin Phoenix. Bridges' other film designs include David O. Russell’s THE FIGHTER (2010), starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale and Amy Adams; Noah Baumbach’s GREENBERG (2010), starring Ben Stiller; YES MAN (2008), starring Jim Carrey; FUR: AN IMAGINARY PORTRAIT OF DIANE ARBUS (2006) starring Nicole Kidman and Robert Downey Jr.; BE COOL (2005) with John Travolta; David O. Russell’s I HEART HUCKABEES (2004) with Dustin Hoffman and Isabel Huppert; THE ITALIAN JOB (2003), starring Mark Wahlberg and Charlize Theron; 8 MILE (2002) starring Eminem; BLOW (2001) starring Johnny Depp; DEEP BLUE SEA (1999); BLAST FROM THE PAST (1999); and CAN'T HARDLY WAIT (1998).

Bridges' costume designs were part of the 1998 Biennale di Firenze Fashion/Cinema exhibit and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences exhibit Fifty Designers, Fifty Costumes: Concept to Character shown in Los Angeles and Tokyo in 2002. Most recently Bridges was one of the film artists included in On Otto, an installation at the Fondazione Prada in Milan, summer 2007.

Bridges' design work has appeared in publications as diverse as Australian Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, The New York Post, The Hollywood Reporter, Dressing in the Dark by Marion Maneker, and Dressed: 100 Years of Cinema Costume by Deborah Nadoolman Landis.

Ludovic Bource

Original Music

Ludovic Bource began his music career with the band 7 in 1996. From 1997 to 2001, he was CEO of a music production company, Planet get Down, and worked with famous French artists such as Disiz la Peste, Passi and Stomy Bugsy.

Bource first began working as a film composer on Michel Hazanavicius’s feature directorial debut, MES AMIES, in 1999. Bource’s collaboration with Hazanavicius continued with OSS 117 - CAIRO, NEST OF SPIES (2006) and OSS 117 - LOST IN RIO (2009). He scored the acclaimed 2010 documentary HERE TO STAY (NOUS RESTERONS SUR TERRE), and contributed music to the 2003 comedy THE DOPE (LA BEUZE) and Mathieu Amalric’s acclaimed 2010 film, ON TOUR (TOURNÉE).

Bource continues to work with recording artists, and has collaborated on albums by Alain Bashung, Little and Pierrick Pedron. He has also worked on sound design for radio host Bruno Guillon.

Heidi Levitt

Casting

A graduate of Barnard College and the AFI Producers Program, Heidi Levitt has cast such films as, JFK, NIXON, NATURAL BORN KILLERS, NURSE BETTY, THE ROCK, THE JOY LUCK CLUB, SMOKE, and more recently, Rodrigo Garcia’s MOTHER AND CHILD and Mark Ruffalo’s directorial debut, SYMPATHY FOR DELICIOUS.

Last year she cast and executive produced THE HIGH COST OF LIVING, starring Zach Braff. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and the film’s director, Deborah Chow, won best first Canadian Feature Film. It was released in The United States by Tribeca Films. Levitt also cast and served as executive producer on I MELT WITH YOU directed by Mark Pellington and starring Thomas Jane, Jeremy Piven, Rob Lowe and Christian McKay. The film premiered at Sundance and will be released by Magnolia Pictures in November.

Alternating between standard studio and indie fare, Levitt has repeatedly worked with groundbreaking and acclaimed directors like Oliver Stone, Wayne Wang, Wim Wenders, Neil LaBute, Victor Nunez, Sally Potter and, most recently, Foreign Film Oscar nominee Rachid Bouchareb. Currently, she is very proud to be casting CHAVEZ, a feature film about the Mexican-American hero, Cesar Chavez, to be directed by Diego Luna.  Levitt has also served as an executive and co-producer and casting director on several films, including two films with Wayne Wang, THE CHINESE BOX and CENTER OF THE WORLD. In 2001 she wrote the story for and produced DELIVERING MILO starring Albert Finney and Anton Yelchin. Most recently, Levitt formed a partnership with award-winning documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney, whose film, TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE won the Academy Award for Best Documentary in 2008. The two are producing a film series called EXILES ON MAIN STREET, which will focus on stories dealing with issues of culture clash and immigrant assimilation in America. Acclaimed writers who have contributed to the series include Sherman Alexie, Robert Olen Butler, ZZ Packer and K Kvashay Boyle.

In 2010 Levitt created the iPhone app, Actor Genie, which is a unique application for the pro-active actor. It tells what’s casting in film and television in LA and New York. The App also offers advice and contacts for agents, managers and casting directors plus suggestions for the best headshot photographers, acting teachers and much more. Featured twice by Apple on iTunes as a top App, Levitt is getting ready to release a new version for the Android Phone this November.