Started in movies when he was 17 as a trainee [assistant director] and an assistant editor

First acting role was a small part in the French drama "Favourites of the Moon"

Directed first short film, "Sans rires"

First substantive role was as a notorious lothario in "Diary of a Seducer"

First gained fame in the film "Ma Vie Sexuelle (My Sex Life...or How I Got Into an Argument)"

Starred in the French film "Late August, Early September" directed by Olivier Assayas

Appeared opposite Juliette Binoche in the art-house hit "Alice and Martin"

Directed debut feature, "Wimbledon Stage"

Wrote and directed "La Chose publique (Public Affairs)"

Offered an award-winning turn in the critically acclaimed drama "Kings & Queen"

Cast by director Steven Spielberg in the thriller "Munich" opposite Eric Bana and Daniel Craig

Helmed the documentary short "Let Them Grow Up Here"

Garnered international recognition as paralyzed fashion editor Jean-Dominique Bauby in the Oscar-nominated "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly"

Cast as the villain in the Marc Forster directed James Bond film, "Quantum of Solace"; starring Daniel Craig as Bond