Alain Robbe-Grillet was a French author and filmmaker who is best known for his experimental novels and films. He was a major figure in the Nouveau Roman literary movement of the 1950s and 1960s, which sought to break away from traditional narrative forms. His works often featured themes of alienation, repetition, and the exploration of the subconscious. He also wrote several screenplays, including Last Year at Marienbad (1961).