Oscar-winning French film director (born March 29, 1967) best known for The Artist (2011), which won five Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director. His name appears in 409 OCR documents and roughly 98 jmail records in the Epstein files. Hazanavicius and Epstein began corresponding by email in March 2012, less than one month after The Artist's Oscar sweep. They met in Paris, including at a dinner where Woody Allen was also present. Subsequent meetings were held at Epstein's apartment on Avenue Foch and during walks in Paris.
In June 2012, Epstein asked Hazanavicius by email whether he could suggest a beautiful young girl to accompany him to a film premiere. Hazanavicius replied that the only woman fitting that description was his own wife, actress Berenice Bejo. He has said Bejo then told him to cut off contact, and he states he did not see Epstein again. He says he had no knowledge of Epstein's criminal conduct at the time. No allegations of wrongdoing by Hazanavicius.
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Michel Hazanavicius is mentioned in documents or reporting related to the Epstein case. Being mentioned does not imply any wrongdoing, criminal conduct, or inappropriate behavior.
This dossier was generated by AI (Claude) from court filings, government releases, and other documentary sources in our database. It may contain errors or misattributions. Always verify claims against the linked source documents.
Background
Oscar-winning French film director born March 29, 1967. Best known for The Artist (2011), which won five Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director. Also directed the OSS 117 spy comedy series and The Search (2014). Married to actress Bérénice Bejo, who was nominated for an Oscar for The Artist.
Epstein Connection
Exchanged emails with Epstein from March 2012 through at least January 2014, beginning less than a month after The Artist's Oscar wins. Met Epstein multiple times at his 22 Avenue Foch apartment in Paris. Attended a dinner with approximately twenty people including Woody Allen at the Avenue Foch residence on March 24, 2012. Epstein cultivated the relationship during the peak of Hazanavicius's international fame, consistent with his pattern of targeting newly prominent cultural figures.
Key Allegations(2)
Epstein asked Hazanavicius on June 17, 2012 to suggest 'a belle jeune fille' (beautiful young girl) to accompany him to the Paris premiere of Woody Allen's film 'To Rome With Love'
documentedHazanavicius had substantially more contact with Epstein than the 'two personal meetings' he publicly claimed, as evidenced by email correspondence spanning nearly two years
documentedLegal Status
Named in 306+ DOJ-released documents. No charges filed. No French investigation opened specifically targeting Hazanavicius as of March 2026.
Notable Statements(4)
“Oh yes. We had a wonderful time. Very friendly and warm.”
“Not really — the only one who fits your description is my wife.”
“I met him twice personally, and once at a dinner of about twenty people including Woody Allen.”
“He was spotting people to blackmail them.”
Contradictions(1)
Hazanavicius stated he 'met him twice personally, and once at a dinner of about twenty people including Woody Allen' — implying only three total encounters.
EFTA documents show email correspondence spanning March 2012 through at least January 2014, including multiple meeting arrangements, social exchanges, and the June 2012 'belle jeune fille' request — indicating substantially more contact than three encounters over a period of nearly two years.
Key Relationships(3)
Direct email correspondence 2012-2014, multiple meetings at Avenue Foch
March 24, 2012 dinner at Avenue Foch with approximately 20 guests including Allen
Both French cultural figures who corresponded with Epstein from Paris
Timeline(7 events)
Dinner at Epstein's 22 Avenue Foch apartment with approximately 20 guests including Woody Allen, less than a month after The Artist's Oscar wins
Email to Epstein: 'Oh yes. We had a wonderful time'
Email accepting meeting invitation: 'Thank you. I'll be there'
Email expressing regret at missing something: 'Argghhh! You just killed me'
Epstein asks Hazanavicius to suggest 'a belle jeune fille' for Woody Allen film premiere in Paris
Last documented email exchange in the released files
Name appears in DOJ-released Epstein files; gives public statement to AFP claiming only three encounters
At a Glance
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Document Mentions
About Michel Hazanavicius
Who is Michel Hazanavicius?
Oscar-winning French film director (born March 29, 1967) best known for The Artist (2011), which won five Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director. His name appears in 409 OCR documents and roughly 98 jmail records in the Epstein files. Hazanavicius and Epstein began corresponding by email in March 2012, less than one month after The Artist's Oscar sweep. They met in Paris, including at a dinner where Woody Allen was also present. Subsequent meetings were held at Epstein's apartment on Avenue Foch and during walks in Paris. In June 2012, Epstein asked Hazanavicius by email whether he could suggest a beautiful young girl to accompany him to a film premiere. Hazanavicius replied that the only woman fitting that description was his own wife, actress Berenice Bejo. He has said Bejo then told him to cut off contact, and he states he did not see Epstein again. He says he had no knowledge of Epstein's criminal conduct at the time. No allegations of wrongdoing by Hazanavicius.
What is Michel Hazanavicius's connection to Jeffrey Epstein?
Michel Hazanavicius appears in 409 case documents, 0 flight logs, and 0 emails from the Epstein investigation files.
This dossier on Michel Hazanavicius was compiled from court records, flight logs, and public documents. 100% free, ad-free, and independent.