Paul Hamy

Actor

Paul Hamy is a French actor who has secured a firm place in European arthouse cinema with his intense screen presence and openness to unusual roles. Born in France in 1982, he began his career as a model before turning to film, where he quickly attracted attention with charismatic and often ambivalent characters. In DESPITE THE NIGHT (2015, directed by Philippe Grandrieux), Hamy plays a man caught between passion, loss, and a search for identity on a dark Parisian night. Known for its radical visual language and emotional depth, the film showcased Hamy's ability to combine extreme emotions with subtle physicality. In JESSICA FOREVER (2018, directed by Caroline Poggi and Jonathan Vinel), he plays one of the protectors of a group of young people seeking refuge in a post-apocalyptic world. His performance emphasizes the vulnerability behind physical strength—a recurring motif in his work. His other notable works include The Stranger by the Lake (2013, directed by Alain Guiraudie), in which he shone as a mysterious stranger in an erotic thriller, and Suzanne (2013, directed by Katell Quillévéré), which earned him a César nomination for Most Promising Actor. He also gave a convincing performance in The Ornithologist (2016, directed by João Pedro Rodrigues) in the lead role of a man on a spiritual journey through the wilderness – a film that was celebrated at international festivals. Paul Hamy is exemplary of modern French cinema: courageous, experimental, and deeply emotional. His filmography combines artistic risk-taking with remarkable versatility, making him one of the most exciting character actors of his generation.

Films on Sooner

Occidental

2018

74 mins

Drama, Queer, Romance

A visually and sonically striking ensemble piece set in a hotel on the city outskirts as Paris is mired in political chaos...