Valérie Donzelli (born 1973 in Épinal, Vosges, France) is a director, screenwriter, and actress. Originally trained in architecture, she turned to theater before committing fully to cinema. Her first feature film was La Reine des pommes , but it was Declaration of War, based on her own life story, that brought her widespread acclaim. Her filmmaking is bold and free, blending emotion, humor, and social concern. She has since directed Hand in Hand , Marguerite & Julien , Notre-Dame, among others, earning multiple award nominations. Her eighth film, At Work, won the Best Screenplay Award at the Venice Film Festival.