NEWS
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5 Directors You Need To Know
Other | Monday 10th March 2014 | Michael
Ben Wheatley - Kill List, Sightseers, A Field In England
Moving steadily from one grim project to another, the Essex-born director has been attracting a cult movement of fans to his small but brilliant collection of black comedies and violent thrillers. His films are disturbingly dark, boldly experimental and undeniably British. High Rise is Wheatley’s next project, scheduled for release later this year.
Gus Van Sant - Good Will Hunting, Elephant, Milk
The twice Oscar-nominated film-maker is still known by relatively few, though his ability to capture beauty and humanity in his characters has proved hugely successful on numerous occasions now. From his popularity within the indie film circle to huge, mainstream success with some top actors, Van Sant’s catalogue contains some absolute gems.
Jean-Pierre Jeunet & Marc Caro - Delicatessen, The City Of Lost Children, Amelie
Surreal, stylistic, absurd. Manipulating sound and image in exciting new ways, the French collaborators created dark, grotesque worlds that were both unsettling and enchanting at once. Jeunet later shifted his vision to a brighter disposition in order to direct Amelie, though the surrealist qualities of the duo’s earlier films prevailed and remain influential today.
Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris - Little Miss Sunshine, Ruby Sparks
Following years of video direction for bands including R.E.M., The Smashing Pumpkins and Red Hot Chili Peppers, the husband-and-wife team smashed their debut feature film Little Miss Sunshine; a beautiful drama-comedy that garnered Best Picture nominations at the Academy Awards, BAFTAs and Golden Globes. Brilliant indie directors with much to come.
Spike Jonze - Being John Malkovich, Where The Wild Things Are, Her
Most people will now be aware of the former Jackass producer’s talents, since his poetically written screenplay for Her won at the Oscars this year. The writer/actor/director likes to take on unusual and ambitious projects and almost always succeeds, with the perfect combination of charm, wit and heart to make you fall in love with his films.
Mike Pickering
