Michel Hazanavicius

As of 2012, he is one of seven directors who has directed his wife to an acting Oscar nomination (Bérénice Bejo in L'artiste (2011)). The other five are Joel Coen directing Frances McDormand in Fargo (1996), John Cassavetes directing Gena Rowlands in A Woman Under the Influence (1974) & Gloria (1980), Richard Brooks directing Jean Simmons in The Happy Ending (1969), Blake Edwards directing Julie Andrews in Victor/Victoria (1982), Paul Czinner directing Elisabeth Bergner in Escape Me Never (1935) and Paul Newman directing Joanne Woodward in Rachel, Rachel (1968). Jules Dassin also directed his future wife, Melina Mercouri, in an Oscar-nominated performance (Pote tin Kyriaki (1960)), but they weren't married, yet, at the time of the nomination.

I love silent cinema but don't hold it sacred. Like any branch of film there are some very boring films alongside the masterpieces. These films are old because of the era they're from, not specifically the format they're made in. It was important not think of [L'artiste (2011)] as an "old movie". It's now, it's new. But you have the benefit of this neglected format which gives you some exciting options as a storyteller.