Philip Kaufman, an American director, screenwriter, and producer born in 1936, is known for his versatility and for his sophisticated and often provocative cinema. His career spans various genres, from the youth cult film *The Wanderers* (1979) to the acclaimed science-fiction remake *Invasion of the Body Snatchers* (1978). He achieved international fame with the epic *The Right Stuff* (1983), a chronicle of the Mercury space program, praised by critics for its direction and narrative. Kaufman has particularly distinguished himself for his sophisticated literary adaptations, including *The Unbearable Lightness of Being* (1988), based on the novel by Milan Kundera, for which he received an Academy Award nomination and a BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. His other significant works include the controversial *Henry & June* (1990), the first film to receive the NC-17 rating, and *Quills* (2000). His work frequently explores historical and artistic figures, combining large-scale narrative with profound psychological inquiry.