His favorite directors are John Cassavetes, Martin Scorsese, Ingmar Bergman, Woody Allen, and Maurice Pialat.In 1990, made a documentary on the Massai people of Kenya for the French television.Studied Cinema in Paris III University. Passed a master about Woody Allen. Failed twice the IDHEC (FEMIS) exam. Attended film school at New York University. Worked on short films in the US from 1983-85, first as a camera operator and then as a director ("Une, Deux, Trois Mambo" and "Jack le Menteur"). From 1985-88, directed a number of industrial films and documentary segments for French television.Serves as a master teacher of film at the Columbia University, the City College of New York, and the School of Visual Arts for a program called On Set With French Cinema (autumn 2003).Teaches at La Fémis (Paris).Father with Lola Doillon of Emile Klapisch, born in 2007.