Description

Catherine Deneuve did not chase mystery — she became it.

From the luminous heartbreak of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg to the dangerous elegance of Belle de Jour, from Truffaut to Buñuel, from art-house cinema to international acclaim, Deneuve forged one of the most enduring screen presences in modern film history.

But beyond the beauty lies something rarer: control.

Control of emotion.

Control of image.

Control of narrative.

In this incisive and elegant biography, Julien Peltier explores how Deneuve redefined femininity on screen — neither victim nor seductress, but sovereign. Across six decades, she navigated fame without confession, desire without exposure, and aging without apology.

More than a portrait of a star, this book is a meditation on elegance, autonomy, and the power of silence in cinema.

For readers of European film, cultural history, and iconic women who shaped modern art, Catherine Deneuve is an essential and unforgettable study of presence.