Jesús Franco was a Spanish film director, composer, writer, cinematographer, and editor. He began composing music at the age of six under the protection of his brother Enrique. After the Spanish Civil War, he continued his studies at the Real Conservatorio de Madrid, where he finished piano and harmony.
Franco also pursued a degree in Law and wrote novels under the pseudonym David Khume. He worked as a director and actor at the Instituto de Investigaciones y Experiencias Cinematográficas (IIEC) before studying directing techniques at the I.D.H.E.C. in Paris.
Back in Spain, Franco began his career as a composer, working on films such as Cómicos (1954) and El hombre que viajaba despacito (1957). He later worked as an assistant director to renowned directors and as a production manager and writer at Ágata Films S.A.
Franco's feature directorial debut, Tenemos 18 años (1959),was a cultural and industrial short film. He soon transitioned to feature films, including Succubus (1968),which was nominated for the Festival of Berlin.
Throughout his career, Franco worked with various production companies, including his own production company, Manacoa Films. He used numerous aliases, including Jess Franco, Jess Frank, Robert Zimmerman, and David Khune.
Franco acted in almost all of his films, playing a wide range of characters. He often worked with actress Lina Romay, who was credited as the director in some of his films. Franco's influence extended throughout Europe, and he was known for his do-it-yourself approach to filmmaking.
Despite facing challenges in getting his films released, Franco continued to work, often reusing footage from his older films. He died on April 2, 2013, in Malaga, Spain, due to a stroke.
