Jean-Paul Salomé's journey as a film director began when he was just eleven years old, with a clear vision of his future profession. However, it wasn't until he had completed his Baccalauréat high school diploma in the scientific section and pursued a degree in film at the prestigious Sorbonne Censier University that he finally entered the film industry.
He started his career by interning for renowned director Claude Lelouch during the production of his film Bolero, a valuable learning experience that laid the foundation for his future endeavors. This was followed by the direction of two documentaries, L'Heure d'aimer in 1983 and La Petite Commission in 1984, both of which received critical acclaim and were selected for numerous film festivals.
Salomé's first feature-length film for television was a significant milestone in his career, and he soon went on to direct the feature film Les Braqueuses in 1993. Five years later, he directed Tourist Trap, a gripping story about a group of tourists who become lost in the middle of nowhere in the United States.
In the year 2000, Salomé directed a cinematic adaptation of the myth of Belphegor, titled Belphegor, Phantom of the Louvre. This was followed by an updated adaptation of the iconic tale of the gentleman thief, Arsène Lupin, in 2004, and Female Agents in 2007.
The Chameleon, shot in the United States, was released in 2010, and Salomé's most recent feature, Playing Dead, hit the screens in December 2013. Throughout his illustrious career, Salomé has demonstrated his versatility and range as a director, tackling a wide range of genres and subjects.
In addition to his work as a director, Salomé has also held prominent positions within the French film industry. He served as president of the ARP (the French Authors', Directors', and Producers' Guild) from 2007 to 2009, and was re-elected to the position from 2011 to July 2012. Furthermore, he was elected president of UniFrance on January 31, 2013, a testament to his leadership skills and commitment to the film industry.
