DENIS VILLENEUVE

BACKGROUND

Born in a suburb outside of Quebec, Canada

Originally held an interest in science, but abandoned it to focus on a career in film

Studied film at Université du Québec à Montréa, where he received the opportunity to direct several projects, including a short television documentary, La course destination monde (1988).

He also learned to speak English while attending Université du Québec à Montréa.

JOURNEY TO RELEVANCE

After directing La course destination monde, Denis entered the Radio-Canada Youth Film Competition, and won.

He continued to work on short films that were financed solely by himself, including REW-FFWD (1994), and Cosmos (1996).

In 1998, Denis entered his first feature film, Un 32 Août Sur Terre, into the Cannes Film Festival, where it was received positively.

In 2000, Denis directed Maelstrom, which received much critical success, as well as a great deal of international awards.

After taking a decade long break from directing, Denis directed Polytechnique (2009), followed by Incendies (2010), which also received many awards, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Film.

Once he became an established Canadian director, Denis was given the opportunity to direct his first Hollywood film, Prisoners (2013), which received much critical success.

Denis followed Prisoners with the independent film, Enemy (2013), which further emphasized his versatility when working with different film genres.

DIRECTING STYLE

Thrives in directing drama, emphasizing dramatic scenes with bleak use of color, long shots, and the noticeable use of close-ups.

Known for the frequent use of handheld camerawork in his films.

Portrays realistic, graphic violence frequently, using steady camera work and focus to give the violence an authentic feel.

Uses bleak yet intense musical scores to emphasize dramatic scenes, and often includes a song from his favorite band, Radiohead, in many of his films.

Clip from Prisoners

FILMOGRAPHY

La course destination monde (TV documentary) (1988)

REW-FFWD (short) (1994)

Cosmos (short) (1996)

Un 32 août sur terre (1998)

Maelstrom (2000)

120 Seconds to Get Elected (short) (2006)

Next Floor (short) (2008)

Polytechnique (2009)

Incendies (2010)

Etude empirique sur l'influence du son sur la persistance rétinienne (short) (2011)

Prisoners (2013)

Enemy (2013)

AWARDS

BAFTA Awards – Best Foreign Film (Nominee) – Incendies (2010)

Cannes Film Festival – Canal+ Award (Winner) – Next Floor (2008); Discovery Award (Nominee) - Next Floor (2008)

Genie Awards – Canadian Screen Award (Winner) – Enemy (2013); Best Achievement in Direction (Winner) – Incendies (2010); Best Adapted Screenplay (Winner) – Incendies (2010); Best Achievement In Direction (Winner) – Polytechnique (2009); Best Live Action Short Drama (Winner) – Next Floor (2008); Best Achievement In Direction (Winner) – Maelstrom (2000); Best Screenplay (Winner) – Maelstrom (2000)

POLYTECHNIQUE (2009)

Captures the shooting of Montreal’s Ecole Polytechnique Engineering School.

Depicts the shooting from three separate viewpoints.

Praised for its graphic and realistic depiction of the violence that the victims of the shooting underwent.

Received generally positives reviews, as well as 16 award wins & another 7 nominations.

Trailer

INCENDIES (2010)

Adaptation of a Lebanese-Canadian play that depicts the journey of two twins to the Middle East after the passing of their mother.

Praised for adding originality to an already established story, perfectly capturing the dramatic aspects of the story.

Received immense positive reviews, as wells as 38 award wins, and 11 award nominations, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.

Trailer

PRISONERS (2013)

Denis’ first Hollywood feature, starred big name actors Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Terrance Howard.

Tells the story of two children from two separate families kidnapped on Thanksgiving, and the lengths that their parents go to in order to find them.

Praised for its cinematography, excellent handling of tension, complex morally-centered plot, and engrossing camerawork.

Received 9 award wins, and 25 award nominations, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Achievement in Cinematography.

Trailer

ENEMY (2013)

An independent film with no wide release, but stars actor Jake Gyllenhaal.

Tells the story of a man who discovers that he is living in the same city as another man who looks and talks exactly like him

Is unlike any film before it, and masterfully manipulates reality, and what the audience perceives to be real.

Praised for its use of symbolism, and unconventional directing techniques.

Although it received mixed critical reviews and little financial success, the film still received 10 award wins and 6 nominations, and already has an established cult following.

Trailer

FUTURE IN FILM

With the critical success of films like Polytechnique and Incendies, as well as the financial success of Prisoners, Denis has established himself as an important director, and has proven that he can handle directing both Hollywood blockbusters as well as message-central indie films.

Currently working on two more Hollywood blockbusters, Story of Your Life, and Sicario, as well as another indie film, American Darling, all scheduled to be released within the next 3 years.

SOURCES

http://www.imdb.com/

http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/534110%7C0/Denis-Villeneuve/biography.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denis_Villeneuve