Michael Cimino studied architecture and dramatic arts; later he filmed advertisements and documentaries and also wrote scripts until the actor, producer and director, Clint Eastwood gave him the opportunity to direct the thriller Le canardeur (1974). But his biggest success was Voyage au bout de l'enfer (1978) which won e.g. the Oscar for the best film. For another successful film he got in trouble: Le sicilien (1987) - critics accused him of portraying as a hero, with his biography, the Italian criminal Salvatore Giuliano.
