Alexandre Desplat

Influenced by his classical European training and his passion for Hollywood movie scores, Alexandre Desplat rose to the most elite ranks of film composers. Dividing his time between A-list American and smaller European film projects, Desplat quietly became one of Hollywood's most prolific and decorated composers. Famed for his understated Gallic sensibility and deep reading of both character and theme which colored all his compositions, Desplat's music increased the richness and complexity of the films he scored rather than dominating them. His professional collaboration with the French director Jacques Audiard - including "Un héros très discret" ("A Self Made Hero") (1997), "Sur mes lèvres" ("Read My Lips") (2001), and "De battre mon cœur s'est arrêté" ("The Beat That My Heart Skipped") (2005) - brought him to international attention, and he broke into English-speaking film with his score for "Girl With a Pearl Earring" (2003). Showered with nominations and awards, he amassed an enviable filmography including among others, "The Painted Veil" (2006), "The Queen" (2006), "Lust, Caution" (2007), "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (2008), "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" (2009), "Fantastic Mr. Fox" (2009), "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1" (2010) and "The King's Speech" (2010). Lyrical, restrained and capable of wringing depths of emotion from every note, Desplat's music provided the filmgoing soundtrack for audiences worldwide, revealing his extensive range and showcasing a unique musical voice.