Born in Paris, Claire Denis spent her childhood in several African countries, notably Cameroon. Upon returning to France, she discovered cinema. She then graduated from IDHEC and became an assistant director to Jacques Rivette, Robert Enrico, Costa-Gavras, Wim Wenders, and Jim Jarmusch. In 1988, her first film Chocolat competed at the Festival de Cannes, and was nominated for the César Award for Best First Film. More than 20 films followed, all presented at prestigious international festivals. These include Nénette and Boni, which won the Golden Leopard at the Locarno Film Festival, High Life, starring Robert Pattinson, which was presented at the Toronto International Film Festival, Both Sides of the Blade, which took the Silver Bear for Best Director at the Berlin International Film Festival, and Stars at Noon, which won the Grand Prix at Cannes. Her most recent feature, The Fence, had its premiere at the San Sebastián International Film Festival.