What is my idea of happiness? Feeling fully fulfilled with yourself, what you’re doing in this life, where you are and what people are with you.

What is my greatest fear? Giving up without trying.

Endless night run from Gaël Zaks on Vimeo.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? That I’m so not patient.

Which living persons in my profession do i most admire? There are many , but if I had to pick a few I would definitely say Mr. Denzel Washington, Mr. Rober de Niro, Mr Michael Cain, Mr Christian Bale, Mrs Meryl Streep, Mrs Angela Davis, Mrs Julia Roberts and Mrs Anne Hatheway. 

What is my greatest extravagance? Being fully yourself in the middle of at super fake fancy snobbish party.

On what occasion would I lie? To save a life or may be to get a good table at a restaurant ah ah.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? Jealousy!!

When and where was I the happiest, in my work? I was shooting an indie film ‘Endless night’ The role was so profound that I literally had to bury myself in the character for 2 months before shooting and when ‘Action’ came even though my character was supposed to be sick and depressed I felt true happiness within.

If I could, what would I change about myself? I’d be half and inch taller!!!

What is my greatest achievement in work? When yourself and the people of the industry let you know you nailed it and touched them greatly!

Where would I most like to live? New York lower east side!!

What is my most treasured possession? A little objet my grandma gave my mother and my mother gave me.

What is my most marked characteristic? I never give up even when everyone tells me I’m going in the wrong direction ! I follow my instinct!

What is my most inspirational location, in my city? Definitely the lower east side and its energy that the people have from all over the world. When you walk these streets you feel like everything is possible!

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city? I love the restaurant ‘Around the clock’ not only for the place bit for all the great times I spent there with close friends.

What books influenced my life and how?’The little Prince’ for the power it gives to the dreams! And’ The Wonderful Adventure of Nils Holgersson’ for that amazing breath of freedom it gives you!

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? ‘Subcity’ by Tracy Chapman.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? ‘John Q’ played by Denzel Washington. Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? Simone Veil, a French minister from the eighties who fought courageously for women’s rights in France and of course my all time hero…The Great Nelson Mandela for all he did throughout his entire life!! He inspired me greatly!

Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime? ‘The Untouchables’ with Robert de Niro, Sean Connery and Kevin Costner.

IN THE DAZE OF THINGS VOSTFR from Gaël Zaks on Vimeo.

What role plays art in my life and work? Pretty much everything considering I always try to see art in every little detail of life…A bee foraging a flower is poetry to me…

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me? That’s the credo of my life…100% true and necessary to me!!

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? For my greatest fan I would choose my mum my sponsor, my agent who always believes in me 200% and she’d definitely be my partner in crime as well.

Which people or companies would I like to work with in 2022? MARVEL STUDIOS! (should I live my number? , the directors: Denis Villeneuve, Ridley Scott, Steven Spielberg, Clint Eastwood, Barry Jenkins, Antoine Fuqua, Gus Van Sant…And so many other brilliant story tellers.

What project, in 2022, am I looking forward to work on? I’m looking forward to work on two feature films. Two French Films: ‘Une pierre dans le coeur’ (A rock in the heart) Directed by Stéphane Ferrara and ‘Mrs Rosenbloom’ The first feature film I will direct.

Where can you see me or my work in 2022? In all good movie theatre hopefully beside France and the US, in as many countries as possible.

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? A truth of life.

Which creative heroes should Peter invite to tell their story? Michael Ingrassia, David Mora, Adeline Moreau, Tiffany Hofstetter, Sharon Mann, Dorothée Pousséo, Stefan Godin.

Link to my website ( with movie samples, pictures magazine interview, still pictures): www.gaelzaks.com