This is the start of a new tradition here at Popcorn@Movies, i have in the past done lists featuring favorite comedies, favorite opening sequences and favorite Disney films, i have decided to turn this into a regular feature, and today i will be listing my five favorite directors. This list is subject to change, and as such i have decided to include only directors currently making films (no retired or dead directors), and only directors who have released a film in the past 10 years (sorry John Waters). All directors have to have released at one theatrical film to be considered, although i will consider the TV work of directors who have done so.
One of my current directors du jour, Dolan has become the fresh young face of the new queer cinema movement, at the tender young age of 25, Dolan is on the cusp of premiering his fifth film, titled Mommy, in competition at Cannes. Having released 5 films in the years since premiering I Killed My Mother at Cannes at the age of 19, Dolan, who writes all his own films has become a passionate and confident young voice in the world of French language film. Xavier Dolan is a rarity, a painfully young and visually distinct filmmaker, with a real voice and opinion. Dolan's films are highly personal, and often feature complex familial relationships, and themes of impossible or improbable love. Dolan's youth and unique style is justification enough for his place on this list.
I am slightly partial to this Italian-American filmmaker, having directed two of my favorite films. Being only the second female director to be nominated for best director, Coppola quickly established herself as a distinctive voice in the world of independent film. Her first film, The Virgin Suicides, distinguished Copolla from her father as a strong and independent spirit, it also established it's star, Kirsten Dunst as a serious actress. Coppola subsequently released Lost In Translation, which catapulted her to worldwide fame, earning many accolades and earning Scarlett Johansson worldwide fame, it's also one of my favorite films! Coppola subsequently released Marie Antoinette, also one of my favorite films, a lavish and sensuous period drama. Coppola continued her winning streak with Somewhere, which won the Golden Lion in Venice, and The Bling Ring, released in 2013.
Despite the nay say of my friends, i love this american director, perhaps one of the most iconic and prolific directors of all time, this year saw Allen return to form with Blue Jasmine. Allen's hits from recent years include Vicky Christina Barcelona and Midnight in Paris. Woody Allen, despite being fickle, is nonetheless a unique and iconic voice in the world of film. His best films include Hannah and Her Sisters, Annie Hall and Manhattan. Woody Allen is the quintessential New York director, and his perseverance and prolificness justify his place on this list.
Unlike Allen, Christopher Nolan is consistent to a fault, and surprisingly even, Nolan entered public consciousness with Memento, a bafflingly confusing but ultimately mesmerizing film that foreshadow's Nolan's filmmaking style, featuring non linear storylines, and visual contrast. Nolan's films feature strong and often complex philosophical themes, emotionally damaged protagonists, and lucid dream worlds. Protagonists of Nolan films are often vengeful, emotionally and morally driven, and ethically ambiguous. Nolan is known for being a perfectionist, never using a second unit, and he has become one of the biggest advocates of film stock since Martin Scorsese. Nolan is also noted for his use of IMAX, cameras, with up to 30% of The Dark Knight Rises being shot on 70mm. Nolan is a visually distinctive and philosophically driven voice.
One of the less established directors on this list, and being mostly known for her TV work, Dunham has in fact released two films, the little seen student film Creative Nonfiction, and indie comedy Tiny Furniture. Since releasing these, Dunham has become known for the HBO series GIRLS, which she also writes, produces, created and stars in. Dunham has created a unique visual style which has since become mainstream, using low saturated film. Dunham's work features spoilt entitled main characters, artistic protagonists who are mainly out of work, and unlikeable leads she somehow finds a way for the audience to root for. Dunham is also a fantastic actress, and features in all of her projects. Despite being mainly known for television, Dunham's place on this list is justified by her unique voice and confident style. Dunham is a unique, young female director, who at the age of 28 is one of the only real female voices in television.
Upon concluding this list there are common themes among these directors, this list features an unusual amount of female directors, given that they are poorly represented in this field. This list is also unusual for featuring a gay man, who again are poorly represented in the world of cinema. Interestingly all of the directors featured on this list write their own scripts, and they all have highly distinctive visual styles. The five directors featured on this list are independent, competent and powerful voices in the world of cinema.
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