Isild Le Besco (born 22 November 1982) is a French actress and filmmaker. She has written, directed, and appeared in several films, and her honours include the Étoile d'or de la révélation féminine and the Marcello Mastroianni Award at the Venice Film Festival.
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Early life
Le Besco was born in Paris to actress and journalist Catherine Belkhodja. On her mother's side, she is of French and Algerian descent, while on her father's side she is of Vietnamese and Breton descent. She is the third of five children, all of whom work in theatre and film.
Career
Le Besco began acting at the age of eight, appearing in Lacenaire (1990), directed by Francis Girod, and La Puce (1996), directed by Emmanuelle Bercot. She later appeared in several French and international films, including Sade (2000), opposite Daniel Auteuil, and The Good Heart (2009), directed by Dagur Kári. In addition to acting, Le Besco has written and directed several films, beginning with Demi-tarif (2004).
Sex abuse cases
She accused Benoît Jacquot of raping her during their relationship, which began when she was underage, and filed a criminal complaint by July 2024. Jacquot was placed under preliminary investigation and criminally charged with the rape of a minor on 4 July 2024. The Paris prosecutor's office announced that a partner of Le Besco was charged with raping her over a 10-month span in 2007. Jacquot was designated as a special witness in this separate case. Le Besco also alleged Jacques Doillon made advances during work sessions and tried to sexually blackmail her in 2000, when she hoped to star in his film Carrément à l'Ouest.
Filmography
Feature films
1990: Lacenaire by Francis Girod
1996: La Puce by Emmanuelle Bercot
1999: Girls Can't Swim by Anne-Sophie Birot
2000: Adieu Babylone by Raphaël Frydman
2000: Sade by Benoît Jacquot
2001: Roberto Succo by Cédric Kahn
2002: A Moment of Happiness by Antoine Santana
2002: The Repentant by Laetitia Masson
2002: Adolphe by Benoît Jacquot
2003: Le Cout de la vie by Philippe Le Guay
2004: A tout de suite by Benoît Jacquot
2004: Princesse Marie by Benoît Jacquot
2005: Backstage by Emmanuelle Bercot
2005: La Ravisseuse by Antoine Santana
2006: Wild Camp (Camping sauvage) by Christophe Ali and Nicolas Bonilauri
2006: The Untouchable by Benoît Jacquot
2006: U (voix de la princesse) by Serge Elissalde and Grégoire Solotareff
2007: Pas douce by Jeanne Waltz
2008: Enfances
2009: Je Te Mangerais by Sophie Laloy
Short films
1999: Cinematon #995 by Gérard Courant
1991: Place des Vosges by Catherine Belkhodja
1997: Anniversaires by Rosette
1997: Kub Valium by Marine Ledu
1997: Les Vacances by Emmanuelle Bercot
1997: Coquillettes by Joséphine Flasseur
1998: Les amis de Ninon by Rosette
2000: Des Anges by Julien Leloup
2003: Quelqu'un vous aime by Emmanuelle Bercot
2003: Dans la foret noire by Joséphine Flasseur
2016: Cinématon #2944 by Gérard Courant
Television
1987: Reflets perdus du miroir by Catherine Belkhodja
1999: Une Fille rebelle
1999: Le Choix d’Élodie by Emmanuelle Bercot
2003: La Maison du canal
2003: Les Mythes urbains
Screenwriter
1998: Demi-tarif
2004: Charly
2010: Bas-fonds
Director
2004: Demi-tarif
2007: Enfances co-réalisé par Safy Nebbou, Isild Le Besco, Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige, Corinne Garfin, Ismaël Ferroukhi et Yann Le Gal
2007: Charly
2010: Bas-fonds
2014: Ponts de Sarajevo (Documentary)
Theater
2007: La Double Inconstance by Marivaux au Théâtre National de Chaillot, mise en scene by Christian Colin with Grégoire Colin
Other media
"Marais," narrator—an audio walking tour of the Paris neighborhood, created by Soundwalk
Awards
2000: Prix du meilleur scénario Junior au festival de Paris pour son premier scénario: Demi-tarif
2001: Étoile d'or de la révélation féminine for Sade, by Benoît Jacquot.
2001: Nomination, 7 d'or pour Le Choix d'Elodie
2001: Nomination, César Award du Meilleur espoir féminin pour Sade
2001: Lumière Award for Most Promising Actress for Sade
2002: Nomination, César du Meilleur espoir féminin pour Roberto Succo
2004: Prix spécial du Jury a l'European first film festival d’Angers pour Demi-tarif
2004: Prix Procirep. Premiers plans. Angers pour Demi-tarif
2004: Special prize of Jury du festival de Séoul pour Demi-tarif
2005: Grand Prix du Jury. Crossing Europe Festival. Linz pour Demi-tarif
2004: Nomination pour le prix Louis Deluc pour Demi-tarif
2006: Marcello Mastroianni Award at Venice Film Festival (Best New Actress)