Entered films in 1966 as a production runner on "2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968) and worked as a writer (for both TV and features) from the early 1970s.
A varied talent, particularly skilled with historical material, Birkin co-adapted Umberto Eco's "The Name of the Rose" (1986) and made his directing-writing debut with the Stefan Zweig adaptation, "Burning Secret" (1988). Brother of actress Jane Birkin and uncle of actress Charlotte Gainsbourg.
- Born:
December 9, 1945 in London, England, United Kingdom
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Job Titles:
Screenwriter, Director, Actor, Production assistant
Family
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Mother: Judy Campbell. born on May 31, 1916
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Niece: Charlotte Gainsbourg. born in 1971
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Niece: Lou Doillon. born c. 1983
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Sister: Jane Birkin. born in 1946
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Son: Alexander Birkin. died in a car crash in November 2001 at the age of 20
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Son: David Birkin. born c. 1979
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Son: Ned Birkin. youngest of Birkin s three sons
Significant Others
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Companion: Bee Gilbert. mother of two of Birkin s sons; previously involved with actor Ian Holm with whom she had a son and daughter
Milestones
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1966 Entered films as production assistant on 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
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1968 Served as production manager on feature, Popdown
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1972 Screenwriting debut, The Pied Piper of Hamlin
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1978 Penned the teleplay for the BBC production The Lost Boys , about J M Barrie s childhood
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1982 Earned Oscar nomination for short film Sredni Vashtar
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1984 Acted alongside sister Jane in The Pirate
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1985 With James Costigan, wrote screenplay for King David
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1986 Was one of four credited screenwriters on The Name of the Rose ; played role of Cuthbert in film
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1988 Appeared with sister Jane and mother Judy Campbell in Agnes Varda s Kung Fu Master!
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1988 Feature directorial debut, Burning Secret ; also wrote screenplay
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1992 Co-wrote and directed Salt on Our Skin/Desire
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1993 Realized long-held ambition to write and direct a screen adaptation of Ian McEwan s The Cement Garden
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1999 Returned to screenwriting with The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc , co-written with director Luc Besson; also acted in film