Jeanne Moreau (1928-2017) was a French actress, an undisputed icon of world cinema. Recognized for her magnetic presence and unmistakable voice, her career took off with the advent of the Nouvelle Vague. She was launched by Louis Malle in *Elevator to the Gallows* (1958) and *The Lovers* (1958), which immediately made her a star.

She became a symbol of freedom and female complexity with her role as Catherine in François Truffaut's *Jules and Jim* (1962), a seminal film of the Nouvelle Vague. She collaborated with directors of the caliber of Michelangelo Antonioni (*La Notte*, 1961), Orson Welles (*The Trial*, 1962; *Chimes at Midnight*, 1965), and Luis Buñuel (*Diary of a Chambermaid*, 1964).

Her acting style was characterized by sharp intelligence, subtle sensuality, and deep independence, often embodying complex, rebellious, and unconventional women. She redefined the image of the female protagonist, becoming a benchmark for her modernity and strength.