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The Artist is a 2011 French romantic drama film directed by Michel Hazanavicius, starring Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo. The story takes place in Hollywood between 1927 and 1932 and focuses on the relationship of an older silent film star and a rising young actress, as silent cinema falls out of fashion and is replaced by the talkies. Most of the film itself is silent, except for the non-diegetic soundtrack; it was produced in black-and-white; and in the older 4:3 aspect ratio. The film has received wide praise from critics and many accolades. Dujardin won the Best Actor Award at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, where the film premiered.

The film was nominated for six Golden Globes, the most of any 2011 film, and won three; Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy, Best Original Score, and Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for Dujardin. 

In January 2012 the film was nominated for twelve BAFTAs, also the most of any film from 2011,  and won seven, the most wins of the night, including Best Film, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay for Hazanavicius, and Best Actor for Dujardin. It is currently nominated for ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay for Hazanavicius, Best Actor for Dujardin and Best Supporting Actress for Bejo. In France, it has been nominated for ten César Awards, including Best Film, Best Director and Best Writing – Original for Hazanavicius, Best Actor for Dujardin, and Best Actress for Béjo.