Henri Decoin, a French film director and screenwriter, left an indelible mark on the cinematic world. Born on March 18, 1890, he went on to direct over 50 films between 1933 and 1964. Decoin's early life was marked by his athletic prowess, as he won the national title in swimming in 1911 and held the national record in the 500 m freestyle.
He also competed in the 400 m freestyle at the 1908 Summer Olympics and in the water polo tournament at the 1912 Summer Olympics. During World War I, Decoin served as a pilot, and afterwards, he worked as a sports journalist for several prominent newspapers.
In 1926, Decoin published his first book, "Quinze Combats" (Fifteen Rounds),an experimental work influenced by Dadaism. He then transitioned to filmmaking, directing his first film, "Les requins du pétrole" (The Oil Sharks),in 1933.
Throughout his career, Decoin tackled a wide range of genres, including adaptations of Georges Simenon's works, historical epics, espionage thrillers, police procedurals, and psychological dramas. He worked with many notable French actors, including Jean Marais, Louis Jouvet, Juliette Gréco, Lino Ventura, Corinne Calvet, Anouk Aimée, and Jean Gabin.
Decoin's work with actress and singer Danielle Darrieux was particularly notable. He directed her in several films and accompanied her to Hollywood in 1938, where she signed a contract with Universal Pictures. Decoin took the opportunity to learn from Hollywood's filmmaking techniques and returned to France with new ideas.
Married four times, Decoin's second marriage was to Darrieux, with whom he had two sons: Jacques Decoin (1928-1998) and Didier Decoin, a prominent screenwriter in his own right. Decoin's prolific career earned him a reputation as one of the most productive directors of his time.
