There are certain individuals that are seemingly born with a destiny to accomplish great feats in the art world. Those fortunate enough to hail from a family of art appreciators often go on to have fantastic careers in the arts. A family environment that nurtures and helps develop artistic tendencies and critical thinking is a wonderful way to grow up. This is not to detract from their own accomplishments in art, implying that they have an easier start, or that opportunities are handed to them. A burning desire to create and influence is at the core of all artists, and is what each person in our Visionary series has in common.
Julie Delpy was fortunate enough to be raised in a family of artists. Born to Albert Delpy and Marie Pillet in Paris, Delpy was exposed to art at a very early age. Both her mother and father were involved in the theatre, Albert being a theatrical director, and Marie was an actress in feature films and in the avant-garde theatre. Delpy’s parents cultivated an appreciation of the arts in their young daughter by taking her to museums, the theatre and exposing her to the works of filmmakers such as Ingmar Bergman, as early as age nine. The impact on the young Delpy steered her in the direction of becoming an actress. She landed her first role at only age fourteen, cast by none other than Jean-Luc Goddard in his 1984 film Détective. In 1986 she earned her first lead role in a feature film, La Passion Béatrice. Delpy won an award for most promising actress for her work on the film and used the prize money to fund her first trip to New York City.
“I couldn't hope for better parents. They really raised me with a love of art, bringing me to museums and seeing things that a child wouldn't see at that age. I would see Ingmar Bergman movies when I was 9 and totally go for it. And they would bring me to see Francis Bacon's paintings, which I loved: so dark and at the same time it's so wonderful.”
- Julie Delpy, 2011
Like many other filmmakers in our series, Delpy attended New York University's Tisch School of the arts, where she studied directing and filmmaking. After permanently moving to the United States, Delpy would expand her horizons even further in the film community. Delpy has written, acted in, and directed over 30 feature films. Not content to simply work in film, she also released a solo album in 2003, Julie Delpy. She also wrote the score for her 2002 film 2 Days in Paris.
Julie Delpy came from a very artistic family, and a loving home that nurtured her and encouraged a deeper understanding and passion for the arts. This upbringing imprinted upon her the love for art and film that would direct her into a career in film. Her immense talent in film has been utilized in every way possible, from her incredible acting, writing and directing. Delpy is an excellent example of how an education in the arts, and exposure at a young age can shape an individual into forward thinking, hard driven artists of tomorrow. Delpy’s passion for all things art has shaped her life and career and allowed her to blossom into the extremely talented individual she is today. It is for this reason she is an excellent source of inspiration to all those looking to study art and film. The possibilities are limitless when art is approached from a childlike sense of wonder and excitement.
Written by Jacob Smith Chamelin
Web Content Writer
Visions Film Festival & Conference
Wilmington, NC
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