Billy Wilder, one of Hollywood’s most influential filmmakers, is the subject of a new retrospective titled Almost Perfect: The Films of Billy Wilder, running at London’s BFI Southbank from October 19 through December 31. The exhibition explores the extensive career of the Austrian-born director whose work helped to define American cinema’s golden age.

Born Samuel Wilder in 1906 in Austria-Hungary to a Jewish family, Wilder’s career began in Europe during the silent film era, where he worked as a screenwriter in Berlin. His early collaborations included working alongside Robert Siodmak and Edgar G. Ulmer, both of whom, like Wilder, fled to the United States following the rise of Nazism. After Adolf Hitler came to power, Wilder left Germany for France, making his directorial debut there in 1934 with Mauvaise Graine. Later that year, he emigrated to Hollywood, where he forged a prolific partnership with Charles Brackett as a screenwriter and director.

Wilder’s films are celebrated for their versatility and influence, spanning genres from film noir and comedy to courtroom drama and social satire. His 1944 film Double Indemnity, often considered the pinnacle of film noir, was created against the grim backdrop of the Holocaust, a period during which many of his family members perished in concentration camps. The shadow of these events is said to permeate the film’s fatalistic tone. Other notable works include Sunset Boulevard, regarded as a seminal exploration of show business, Some Like It Hot, widely cited as one of the greatest comedies ever made, and The Apartment, often hailed as one of the medium’s finest achievements.

Wilder’s broader filmography reveals a command of diverse subjects and styles. His satirical take on the press in Ace in the Hole, his courtroom drama Witness for the Prosecution, and the candid portrayal of alcoholism in The Lost Weekend all demonstrate his range and willingness to tackle challenging themes. Even his lesser-known films contain memorable moments, such as Marilyn Monroe’s iconic scene in The Seven Year Itch.

Despite his professional success, Wilder never lost sight of his immigrant origins and the hardships he faced. Early in his Hollywood tenure, Wilder recalled an intense interrogation at a consulate concerning his legal status, an experience he said nearly led to deportation. When asked what he did for a living, his reply—“I write movies”—apparently convinced the official to grant him entry, with the words “Write some good ones” stamped on his passport.

Wilder’s final films reflected an artist out of sync with the changing landscape of cinema in the 1970s, but his legacy endures. His influence is evident across generations of filmmakers and in ongoing adaptations and tributes, including a new project inspired by his film Fedora, which is currently in development.

The retrospective offers a comprehensive look at Wilder’s enduring contributions to film, underscoring his ability to blend dark themes with humor and humanity. It also gestures to the lasting impact of his personal history on his work—from his early years in Europe to his celebrated Hollywood career—and the complexities of his identity as a Jewish émigré who became a defining voice in 20th-century American cinema.