- Born
- Birth nameKonstantinos Gavras
- Costa-Gavras grew up in Greece, before moving to France, where he studied literature at the Sorbonne and later film at the Institut des Hautes Études Cinématographiques (IDHEC). He began his career in cinema as an assistant director working with established filmmakers including René Clair and René Clément. His first feature, The Sleeping Car Murder (1965), was followed by Z (1969), which brought him international acclaim and won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. He went on to direct a series of politically engaged films such as State of Siege (1972), Missing (1982), and Amen. (2002), often examining themes of power, oppression, and human rights. Alongside his filmmaking, he served as president of the Cinémathèque Française and received numerous international awards for his contributions to cinema.
- IMDb mini biography by: Capamaroux
- SpouseMichèle Ray-Gavras(1968 - present) (3 children)
- Children
- RelativesPenelope Spheeris(Cousin)Jimmie Spheeris(Cousin)
- Frequently casts David Clennon
- Films about political or sociological subjects, that examine general problems in society.
- His Films Often Examine A Socio-Political Situation Or Theme
- When asked why he never chose the documentary style, when his stories seem so much like documentaries, he explained he found documentaries too difficult compared to fiction.
- Has directed 3 actors to Oscar nominations: Jack Lemmon (Best Actor, Missing (1982)), Sissy Spacek (Best Actress, Missing (1982)), and Jessica Lange (Best Actress, Music Box (1989)).
- Father of Julie Gavras and Romain Gavras.
- He was twice President of the Cinémathèque française.
- Has said in an interview that he decided he wanted to be a film maker after seeing the film Greed (1924) (1924).
- I made Z (1969), first, because I am Greek-born. Secondly, because I felt I would like to do something. Some people sign petitions, others go to the streets - I do something as a filmmaker.
- The best way to become completely crazy is to say, 'Okay we'll do a movie to change society'.
- To make an American film is the dream of every European filmmaker.
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