Happy 50th Birthday Jan Kounen

Jan Kounen was born Jan Coenen on May 2, 1964 in Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. Kounen is a Dutch-born French film director and producer.

 
In France, he is mostly known for his films “Dobermann” (1997), his only Euro-western to date “Blueberry, l'experience secrete”  (2004) and “99 francs” (2007). Outside of France, he is rather known for his interest in Shipibo-Conibo culture and shamanism, with which he became familiar during his trips to Mexico and Peru, and for some music videos. Most noticeable are the four videos he did for the English pop group Erasure in the 1990s (including three for the project ‘Abba-esque’): ‘Lay all your love on me’ (1992), ‘Voulez-vous’ (1992), ‘S.O.S.’ (1992) and ‘Always’ (1994).
 
For “Blueberry, l'experience secrete”, released in the U.S.A. as “Renegade” Kounen, directed, co-wrote the screenplay and appeared in a cameo role as Billy the town’s deputy.
 
Today we celebrate Jan Kounen’s 50^th birthday.