Nathalie Baye: A Hundred Lives

In a prolific and versatile career of almost 100 films, Nathalie Baye (1848-2026) was recognised for her ability to adapt to any part she chose to play.

Her many and varied roles included a continuity girl, an alcoholic police officer, a prostitute, a beautician, wrestler, supermarket cashier, telephone operator and, more recently, a French aristocrat in the second Downton Abbey film, as well as a cameo role in the hit French television series Call My Agent.

Her break came with François Truffaut’s Day for Night in 1973. She was cast by Truffaut again, then by Godard and many more, with internationally high-profile roles for Steven Spielberg, Xavier Dolan, Claude Chabrol and, notably, with a number of female directors including Toni Marshall, Claire Simon, Nicole Garcia and Josiane Balasko.

The quality of her performances, especially in supporting performances, earned her accolades. Baye won four César awards, two of them for best actress.

The selection of films at Ciné Lumière gives a glimpse of the variety of films Nathalie Baye played in, within a limited selection of titles available with English subtitles.