Florian Zeller


Florian Zeller is a French novelist, playwright and director. He won the prestigious Prix Interallié in 2004 for his novel La Fascination du Pire and several awards for his plays. He is, according to The Times, "the most exciting playwright of our time".

Biography

Zeller wrote his first novel Artificial Snow when he was twenty-two years old. But it was his third novel, Fascination of Evil which made him a household name in France. The book, which explores the relationship of the West with Islam, caused some controversy. It was selected for the Prix Goncourt.
His black comedy, The Father, is one of the outstanding hits of recent years, playing in London's West End to ecstatic five-star reviews and top listings in the Best Plays of the Year. It was considered as "the most acclaimed new play of the last decade". and won several awards and nominations in Paris, London and New York.
His comedy, The Truth, opened in London's West End in June 2017 and received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Comedy.
His play, The Height of the Storm, starring Jonathan Pryce and Eileen Atkins, opened in London's West End in September 2018 and on New York's Broadway in September 2019. It has been named "best play of 2018" and "one of the best plays of the 21st century" by The Guardian.
His play, The Mother, starring Isabelle Huppert, opened in New York in February 2019.
The Son opened in London in February 2019 and in London's West End in September 2019 with rave reviews.
His plays are staged in more than 45 countries.

Personal life

Zeller lives in Paris. He is married to ex-model, actress and sculptor Marine Delterme, who played one of the main roles in the Parisian production of his play Le Manège. Their son, Roman, was born in December 2008.

Novels

In 2019, he has directed his first film, The Father, based on his play. It had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 27, 2020.

Awards and nominations