Bille August

Director and screenwriter. Born 9 November 1948, Denmark. Trained as a cinematographer and photographer in Stockholm before attending the National Film School of Denmark, from where he graduated in cinematography in 1973.

August's international breakthrough came with "Pelle the Conqueror" (1987), which received the Palme d'Or in Cannes in 1988 and an Oscar and a Golden Globe in 1989. August received his second Palme d'Or in 1992 for the Swedish production "The Best Intentions" (1992), written by Ingmar Bergman.

August directed three award-winning films for children and youth in the '80s: "Zappa" (1983), "The World of Buster" (1984) and "Twist and Shout" (1984).

Since the early '90s August has directed a string of big international co-productions, including "The House of the Spirits," "Smilla's Sense of Snow," "Les Misérables," "Return to Sender," "Goodbye Bafana" and "Night Train to Lisbon."

Apart from his numerous film awards Bille August has been honored for his work as a film director with both the Danish and the Swedish Royal Order of Chivalry and the French order Chevalier dans l'ordre des Arts et Lettres.

August made his first Danish-produced film in 25 years with "Marie Krøyer" (2012). With "Silent Heart" (2014) the director returned to the human drama of his Palme d'Or, Golden Globe and Oscar winner "Pelle the Conqueror" (1987) and his Bergman-scripted "The Best Intentions" (1991).