Behind the gritty world of ‘Oppenheimer’ or the romantic atmosphere of ‘In the Mood for Love’ are the directors whose distinct vision and styles of filmmaking are immediately recognisable
In filmmaking, a director’s artistic vision holds the power to make or break a movie. While a star-studded cast, a gripping plot and breathtaking locations contribute to the overall allure, it is the director’s ability to harness these resources and create a compelling experience that sets their films apart.
A select few directors know how to do this with their own signature flair, and have cultivated a distinct style that stays with the audience long after credits roll. Whether it’s Christopher Nolan seamlessly blending stunning cinematography with a gripping ploty or Wes Anderson enchanting viewers with his whimsical visuals and memorable characters, these seven directors possess a visual language so unique it makes their films instantly recognisable as theirs.
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1. Yorgos Lanthimos
Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos has a penchant for black comedy, and his new movie Poor Things (2023), which is being shown at this week’s Venice Film Festival, leans into the absurdist nature of the plot through black and white filters, sepia tones, unusual camera angles and unusual blocking between the characters played by actors Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe and Mark Ruffalo.
Lanthimos’s interest in all things tragicomic can be traced back to his critically acclaimed films The Lobster (2015) and The Favourite (2018), in which he also uses similar visual settings, unconventional framing techniques and extended shots to create awkward tension.
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