Louis Marie Malle (1932 - 1995) was an esteemed French film director, screenwriter, and producer who made significant contributions to both French cinema and Hollywood. His dynamic and versatile filmmaking skills saw him creating various genres including documentaries, romances, period dramas, and thrillers, often tackling provocative or controversial subject matter. Notable works include Elevator to the Gallows, The Lovers, Lacombe, Lucien, Pretty Baby, Atlantic City, My Dinner with Andre, and Au revoir les enfants. He was also one of the co-directors of the award-winning underwater documentary The Silent World with Jacques Cousteau. Malle distinctively won the Golden Lion twice and had multiple accolades including three Césars, two BAFTAs, and three Oscar nominations. He was later recognized as a Fellow of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts in 1991.

Born into a wealthy industrialist family, Malle's life was heavily influenced by his experiences in World War II. His studies in political science followed by film studies led him to work with acclaimed individuals like Jacques Cousteau and Robert Bresson before making his first feature. His films often pushed boundaries, leading to major controversy and landmark legal disputes about the definition of obscenity. Although he was sometimes associated with the nouvelle vague, he was recognized for his unique style and storytelling. The latter part of his career saw a move to the United States, with significant contribution to the rise of American independent cinema in the 80s.