Jean-Claude Izzo

Jean-Claude Izzo (20 June 1945 – 26 January 2000) was a French poet, playwright, screenwriter, and novelist who achieved sudden fame in the mid-1990s with the publication of his three neo-noir crime novels Total Chaos, Chourmo, and Solea (widely known as the Marseilles Trilogy), featuring as protagonist ex-cop Fabio Montale, and set in the author's native city of Marseille. All have been translated into English by Howard Curtis.

Jean-Claude Izzo was born on 20 June 1945 in Marseille, France. His father was an Italian immigrant from Castel San Giorgio (Province of Salerno) and his maternal grandfather was a Spanish immigrant. He excelled in school and spent much of his time at his desk writing stories and poems. But because of his "immigrant" status, he was forced into a technical school where he was taught how to operate a lathe.

In 1963, he began work in a bookstore. He also actively campaigned on behalf of Pax Christi, a Catholic peace movement. In 1964, he was called up for military duty in Toulon and Djibouti. He worked for the military newspaper as a photographer and journalist.

Awards

 * Prix Sang d'encre for Chourmo.
 * 2001: Deutscher Krimi Preis in the category of International (1. Platz) for Chourmo.

Filmography as an author or screenwriter

 * Les matins chagrins, directed by Jean-Pierre Gallepe (1990)
 * Fabio Montale, series of three TV movies, directed by José Pinheiro (2001). The adaptation was controversial for Alain Delon in the lead since his politics and personality are the opposite of Izzo's.
 * Roger et Fred, TV movie (2001).
 * Total Kheops, directed by Alain Bévérini (2002)
 * Les marins perdus, directed by Claire Devers (2003)