Luc Paul Maurice Besson is a French film director, screenwriter and producer. He directed or produced the films
Subway (1985),
The Big Blue (1988), and
La Femme Nikita (1990). Associated with the
Cinéma du look film movement, he has been nominated for a César Award for Best Director and Best Picture for his films
Léon: The Professional (1994) and the English-language
The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (1999). He won Best Director and Best French Director for his sci-fi action film
The Fifth Element (1997). He wrote and directed the 2014 sci-fi action film
Lucy and the 2017 space opera film
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.