French and Swiss actress. In 1991, Courau was nominated for a César, for Most Promising Actress (Meilleur espoir féminin), and won a European Film Award for Best Actress, both for the film LE PETIT CRIMINEL (1990). She then appeared in Dusty Hughes' A SLIP OF THE TONGUE opposite John Malkovich on the stage, and in Vincent Ward's MAP OF THE HUMAN HEART. In 1995, she won the Prix Suzanne Bianchetti at the SACD Awards. She was nominated again for a César twice in 1996 for Best Supporting Actress (Meilleur second rôle féminin) and Most Promising Actress (Meilleur espoir féminin) both for the film ÉLISA. In 1998 she was named one of European cinema's "Shooting Stars" by European Film Promotion and in 2000 she won the Prix Romy Schneider. She was created a Dame of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres of France on 7 February 2007. In 2015 returning to the limelight with the drama L'OMBRE DES FEMMES, directed by Philippe Garrel. Film for which she received the Best Actress Award at the Seville European Film Festival.