“Born in a tumultuous May” that’s how the story of Michel Audiard begins. Right here in the 14th arrondissement of Paris at 2 rue Brézin. This unassuming street holds the secret of one of France’s most celebrated screenwriters. Michel Audiard a name synonymous with witty dialogue and Parisian charm. He was born on May 15 1920 three days before Pope John Paul II. His early life remains shrouded in mystery. His parents remain anonymous figures. His mother only acknowledged him after two months of uncertainty. He was raised by his godfather.
His youth was spent in this very neighborhood. He attended school on rue du Moulin-Vert. He later frequented the Vélodrome d’Hiver on rue Nélator. During the Occupation he learned welding to avoid forced labor in Germany. He started his professional life delivering newspapers by bicycle. His proximity to journalists in the cafes of the Grands Boulevards led him to write articles. He even penned articles posing as a special correspondent in Indochina. These weren’t filed from some faraway country though. He wrote them all from his attic room. He later became a film critic for Cinévie reviewing films without even bothering to watch them.
In 1949 his career took a turn. A producer asked him to write his first screenplay Mission à Tanger. His unique writing style quickly caught on. He brought his knowledge of Parisian life into his work. His scripts were populated with concierges sitting on their doorsteps. He depicted the ceaseless cyclists of the Vélodrome d’Hiver and the bustling Halles market. His dialogue captured the quintessential Parisian wit and irreverence.
He collaborated with many stars including Jean Gabin a partnership that spanned seven years and 17 films. Audiard was sometimes labeled a right-wing anarchist. His only regret was that he did not have time to adapt Louis-Ferdinand Céline’s Journey to the End of the Night to the screen. His son Jacques Audiard also became a renowned filmmaker continuing the family legacy.
Michel Audiard lived in a duplex on rue de l’Assomption before moving to the Hôtel de la Trémoille. He occupied room 102 writing his scripts while the production paid for his stay. He passed away in 1985 at the age of 65. He is buried in Montrouge Cemetery. His dialogues continue to be celebrated. His work inspires writers and filmmakers even today. His influence on French cinema is undeniable. His legacy lives on in every witty line every Parisian anecdote immortalized in his unforgettable scripts. His life story a testament to a unique talent born right here in Paris.