Laurent Pierre Marie Boutonnat, born on June 14, 1961, in Paris, is a renowned French composer and film and music video director. He is best known for his long-standing collaboration with Mylène Farmer, for whom he has been a primary songwriting partner. Boutonnat's career began at a young age; he directed his first film, "Ballade de la Féconductrice," at 17, which was noted for its provocative style and was screened at the Festival de Cannes.

In 1984, Boutonnat co-composed the song "Maman a tort" with Jérôme Dahan, leading to his partnership with Mylène Farmer. This collaboration marked the beginning of a successful artistic journey, with Boutonnat composing music while Farmer wrote lyrics. He also crafted Farmer's visual identity by directing elaborate, literature-inspired music videos that resembled short films. His work on videos like "Libertine" and "Pourvu qu'elles soient douces" is particularly acclaimed for its cinematic quality and historical settings.

Boutonnat's directorial ventures extended to feature films, including "Giorgino" in 1994, which, despite its initial commercial failure, later gained a cult following. He also played a significant role in the careers of other artists, notably writing and directing music videos for Alizée's first two successful albums.

Throughout his career, Boutonnat has been recognized for revolutionizing French music videos by incorporating art and cinematic elements, thereby elevating them beyond mere promotional tools. Despite occasional controversies over the provocative nature of his work, Laurent Boutonnat remains a pivotal figure in the French music and film industry.