Film Forgeries has compiled this list of the top 15 directors to watch out for. We have carefully selected directors whose next films we believe should not be missed, and whose prior releases should be searched out - if you haven't seen them already.
Some of the directors on this list are yet to release their first first feature film, but are coming off the back of some excellent shorts. Others are fairly new to feature filmmaking, but their early contributions make their next film unmissable. Some are slightly more experienced directors, who - for whatever reason - may be lesser known, and deserve more recognition than they have thus far received.
We hope that you like the list and that you enjoy their films.
Some of the directors on this list are yet to release their first first feature film, but are coming off the back of some excellent shorts. Others are fairly new to feature filmmaking, but their early contributions make their next film unmissable. Some are slightly more experienced directors, who - for whatever reason - may be lesser known, and deserve more recognition than they have thus far received.
We hope that you like the list and that you enjoy their films.
1: Steve McQueen
Throughout cinema, there has been many formidable director/actor partnerships. In recent years, we have seen one of the strongest in Steve McQueen and Michael Fassbender. McQueen's Caméra d'Or winning debut Hunger (2008) and follow up Shame (2011) have cemented him as the most exciting British director working today. With a background as an artist, he knows how to make the most of every frame. Combining astonishing cinematography with a raw attention to detail, McQueen’s films explore the frailty and strength of both body and mind.
His next film, Twelve Years a Slave (2013), set in the 1800s features Brad Pitt, Paul Giamatti and Benedict Cumberbatch alongside Fassbender for what is sure to be one of the most powerful films of the year.
2: Derek Cianfrance
By now, everyone will have seen The Place Beyond the Pines and will know what an original and highly considered voice Derek Cianfrance has. Both his recent crime saga and his previous film, Blue Valentine (2010), showed an attention to detail and passion that seems all too rare. From their style to their eluded-to pasts, he crafts enigmatic, rich and complex characters, making us fall hopelessly in love with his romanticized heroes before twisting them in to human beings and putting our feelings for them to the test. When we meet them everything’s Springsteen. But it soon gets complicated.
True to the men he creates, Cianfrance has had a bit of a battle to get here. Hopefully the returns that The Place Beyond the Pines (2013) has brought will allow him to finally release his debut feature Brother Tied (current languishing in music-licensing limbo), but if that doesn’t happen there are other interesting things in the pipe-line. Cianfrance is reportedly working on an HBO series, an adaptation of Sam Fussell’s memoir Muscle, recounting Fussell’s seduction in to the NYC body-building scene. There are countless other rumours, but this seems to be the surer follow up to Pines. After only two films, it’s clear that his vision is strong and his aim is true.
3: Asghar Farhadi
Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi swept a long list of awards with his excellent Beautiful City (2004), Fireworks Wednesday (2006), and About Elly (2009), before he released his best film yet in 2011 – A Separation. A Separation is a powerful and insightful portrayal of disharmony in Iranian society, encapsulated in the story of one family’s fallout with their father’s carer. The film followed Farhadi’s previous achievements as it went on to win Best Foreign Film at the Golden Globes and Oscars. In 2012 Time magazine included him in their list of the top 100 most influential people in the world. He has the special ability to cross the most divided of cultures, and will surely grow into one of cinema’s greatest directors.
4: Rian Johnson
Johnson exploded out of the festival circuit in 2005 with his much lauded debut, Brick. This noir detective story, set in a modern day high school, was one of the most original films of its year. After a disappointing follow up, Johnson found his voice again with Looper (2012). Looper reassured us of Johnson’s ability to craft a truly unique story. A striking use of special effects and a return to his noir sensibilities, made this time-bending sci-fi one of our favourites of last year and his most successful film to date.
5: Pablo Lorrain
No (2012), released earlier this year in the UK, was Pablo Lorrain’s final film in his trilogy exploring the Pinochet dictatorship in Chile. Where can he go from here? Well, combine the comic edge that he showed in Tony Manero (2008) and Post Mortem (2010), and the fresh and youthful style that he displayed in No, we believe that Lorrain can conquer not only Latin cinema, but global cinema. In any case, his follow-up to No will be eagerly awaited.
6: Nicholas Winding Refn
With an already expansive filmograpghy, Refn is one of the more established directors on this list. He made a name for himself with the Pusher trilogy, however, he truly kicked things up a gear with the release of his electro noir, Drive (2011). Bringing his trademark blend of style and violence, mixed with an ethereal pop soundtrack that stuck with you for days, Drive was unquestionably one of the most exciting films of its year.
His follow up, Only God Forgives (2013) will make its debut at Cannes, and with trailers now circulating, it is already one of the most talked about films of the festival.
7: David Lowery
David Lowery has created an impressive oeuvre of short films, which reached a phenomenal high with his 2011 short Pioneer. In that he drew fantastic performances from his actors, and so we can’t wait to see what he does with a cast to die for – including Cassey Affleck and Rooney Mara – in his next film, Ain’t Them Bodies Saints.
8: Tomas Alfredson
Hailing from Sweden, Alfredson reached a global audience with his vampiric romantic drama, Let The Right One In (2008), a beautiful take on childhood innocence, love and friendship. His English Language debut, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011), had a palpable sense of smoke stained claustrophobia and confirmed that Alfredson commands atmosphere like no one else. We don’t know what’s coming next or what to expect, but we do know that we will be first in line come release day.
9: Miguel Gomes
Miguel Gomes has a Ingmar Bergman-like fascination with combining past and present, reality and dreams, fact and fiction. So too, like the great Swedish director, Gomes adopts a different style for each film. Our Beloved Month of August (2008) ambitiously blended documentary with drama, while last year’s Tabu (2012) used black-and-white to re-dream cinema that seemed long forgotten. This Portuguese director is certainly for watching.
10: Lynne Ramsay
Lynne Ramsay slowly built a name for herself with various short films and the features Ratcatcher (1999) and Morvern Callar (2002), before exploding with the incredibly affecting adaptation of We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011). With daring use of sound and colour, Ramsay’s adaptation enhanced Lionel Shriver’s novel, making We Need to Talk About Kevin possibly the best film of 2011. Lynne recently showed her robust personality by quitting on the first day of production on – what would have been her next film – Jane Got a Gun. In solidarity, Jude Law quit too, clearly showing that others besides Film Forgeries trust in her ability as a filmmaker. It may not be titled “Jane Got a Gun”, but we can’t wait for her next film.
11: Jordan Vogt-Roberts
It’s a bold claim to call a director “exciting” before they have even released their debut feature. But, although we’re yet to see Vogt-Roberts stretch himself beyond the 40-minute mark, he has already made an impression with his short films. 2010’s Successful Alcoholics announced Vogt-Roberts as a director to watch, an impending feature seeming like a guarantee off the back of the riotously funny and poignantly self-aware 25-minute short, which starred subsequently risen talents Lizzy Caplan and T.J. Miller. The short has toured festivals since its release, while Vogt-Roberts continued to hone his comedic talents over at Funny or Die. This year, we finally get to see what he can do with a feature, and the early word is good. The Kings of Summer is being billed as “Superbad meets Stand-by-Me”, a coming-of-ager that follows three friends through their decision to reject their staid “normal” lives and retreat to the forest where they can reign free. Nominated for the Grand-Jury prize at this years Sundance Film Festival (losing out to Fruitvale – another one to watch), it is said to be a warm and uplifting film that evokes everything its title suggests. It’s another one without the all-important UK distributor but check out the shorts and you’ll realize that it’s only a matter of time.
12: Thomas McCarthy
Compared to Shane Carruth and Behn Zeitlin, Thomas McCarthy could be considered an experienced head. Nevertheless, despite having directed The Station Agent (2003), The Visitor (2007) and Win Win (2011) Thomas McCarthy remains surprisingly unknown as a director. His films are understated explorations of the life of the outsider, that end up being extraordinarily touching. There’s no doubt about it, he deserves to be better known.
13: Benh Zeitlin
Every year there is an underdog. A film that comes from nowhere to defy expectations and ride a wave of arguably justified buzz right the way through to award season. Last year it was Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012) and, this time, all that Oscars hot-air bore fruit. Benh Zeitlin’s debut feature was so flooded with charm they had to bail out the excess with tin buckets just to keep afloat. It was an audacious film, from an incredibly confident team of first-time film-makers, harder to come by than dry-land in the Bathtub. Zeitlin is certainly one to keep an eye on, but Beasts of the Southern Wild is one of those films that appears to be a true collaborative effort. In this instance, it could be argued that it is not just Zeitlin we should keep watching, but the entire team. The beautifully crafted, quasi-fantasy world of the bathtub was created originally by Zeitlin’s co-writer Lucy Alibar, the screenplay being adapted from her stage-play Juicy and Delicious. So add her to the list. Zeitlin’s cinematographer, Ben Richardson has since shot the music video for Passion Pit’s Carried Away, displaying the same visual inventiveness of Beasts (only turned up to 10) and demonstrating what a significant hand he must have had in captivating the aesthetic of Beasts. So I guess he should be on the list too. And then there’s the adorable Quvenzhane Wallis. Noone was really interested in seeing a remake of Annie, were they? But then Quvenzhane was cast in the title role and now it’s muscled it’s way on to an already over-crowded must-see list. Benh Zeitlin is one to watch, for sure, but here is a team of newcomers with the film world at their feet.
14: Shane Carruth
The only Antipodean to find a place on this list, Carruth made a mark in 2004 with his micro-budget time-travel meta-piece, Primer (2004). It was a remarkably accomplished debut that, owing to a practically non-existent budget (AUS $7,000), favoured plot and character over everything, with Carruth acknowledging his financial limitations by opting for modest, low-fi production design that made for a stark and memorable sci-fi feature with big, bold ideas. Aside from a “thanks” credit on Rian Johnson’s Looper, Carruth has presumably been trapped in one of Primer’s time-loops for the past 9 years, only now breaking free to return with his second feature, Upstream Color.
The film screened at Sundance and SXSW earlier in the year to great acclaim, trending on twitter (higher than Sundance itself) and receiving glowing reviews. With Carruth reportedly acting as director, writer, producer, actor, cinematographer, editor, composer, casting director, production designer and sound designer, we may be witnessing the birth of an auteur here.
If the buzz is to be believed, with Upstream Color Carruth has crafted another mind-bending, beguiling and highly original film. Still without a UK distributor, who knows when we will get to see for ourselves.
15: Apichatpong Weerasethakul
Apichatpong Weerasethakul is a leader when it comes to discovering new ways of cinematic storytelling. His films are ambiguous, which will no doubt restrict him to the art circuits and film festivals. Still, he has experienced extraordinary success in these areas, especially at Cannes where Blissfully Yours (2002) won the top prize in the Un Certain Regard programme, and Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (2010) which won the Palme d’Or. His films are incredibly tender and poignant, so if you’re one of the many who has not yet checked him out, he comes highly recommended.
Throughout cinema, there has been many formidable director/actor partnerships. In recent years, we have seen one of the strongest in Steve McQueen and Michael Fassbender. McQueen's Caméra d'Or winning debut Hunger (2008) and follow up Shame (2011) have cemented him as the most exciting British director working today. With a background as an artist, he knows how to make the most of every frame. Combining astonishing cinematography with a raw attention to detail, McQueen’s films explore the frailty and strength of both body and mind.
His next film, Twelve Years a Slave (2013), set in the 1800s features Brad Pitt, Paul Giamatti and Benedict Cumberbatch alongside Fassbender for what is sure to be one of the most powerful films of the year.
2: Derek Cianfrance
By now, everyone will have seen The Place Beyond the Pines and will know what an original and highly considered voice Derek Cianfrance has. Both his recent crime saga and his previous film, Blue Valentine (2010), showed an attention to detail and passion that seems all too rare. From their style to their eluded-to pasts, he crafts enigmatic, rich and complex characters, making us fall hopelessly in love with his romanticized heroes before twisting them in to human beings and putting our feelings for them to the test. When we meet them everything’s Springsteen. But it soon gets complicated.
True to the men he creates, Cianfrance has had a bit of a battle to get here. Hopefully the returns that The Place Beyond the Pines (2013) has brought will allow him to finally release his debut feature Brother Tied (current languishing in music-licensing limbo), but if that doesn’t happen there are other interesting things in the pipe-line. Cianfrance is reportedly working on an HBO series, an adaptation of Sam Fussell’s memoir Muscle, recounting Fussell’s seduction in to the NYC body-building scene. There are countless other rumours, but this seems to be the surer follow up to Pines. After only two films, it’s clear that his vision is strong and his aim is true.
3: Asghar Farhadi
Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi swept a long list of awards with his excellent Beautiful City (2004), Fireworks Wednesday (2006), and About Elly (2009), before he released his best film yet in 2011 – A Separation. A Separation is a powerful and insightful portrayal of disharmony in Iranian society, encapsulated in the story of one family’s fallout with their father’s carer. The film followed Farhadi’s previous achievements as it went on to win Best Foreign Film at the Golden Globes and Oscars. In 2012 Time magazine included him in their list of the top 100 most influential people in the world. He has the special ability to cross the most divided of cultures, and will surely grow into one of cinema’s greatest directors.
4: Rian Johnson
Johnson exploded out of the festival circuit in 2005 with his much lauded debut, Brick. This noir detective story, set in a modern day high school, was one of the most original films of its year. After a disappointing follow up, Johnson found his voice again with Looper (2012). Looper reassured us of Johnson’s ability to craft a truly unique story. A striking use of special effects and a return to his noir sensibilities, made this time-bending sci-fi one of our favourites of last year and his most successful film to date.
5: Pablo Lorrain
No (2012), released earlier this year in the UK, was Pablo Lorrain’s final film in his trilogy exploring the Pinochet dictatorship in Chile. Where can he go from here? Well, combine the comic edge that he showed in Tony Manero (2008) and Post Mortem (2010), and the fresh and youthful style that he displayed in No, we believe that Lorrain can conquer not only Latin cinema, but global cinema. In any case, his follow-up to No will be eagerly awaited.
6: Nicholas Winding Refn
With an already expansive filmograpghy, Refn is one of the more established directors on this list. He made a name for himself with the Pusher trilogy, however, he truly kicked things up a gear with the release of his electro noir, Drive (2011). Bringing his trademark blend of style and violence, mixed with an ethereal pop soundtrack that stuck with you for days, Drive was unquestionably one of the most exciting films of its year.
His follow up, Only God Forgives (2013) will make its debut at Cannes, and with trailers now circulating, it is already one of the most talked about films of the festival.
7: David Lowery
David Lowery has created an impressive oeuvre of short films, which reached a phenomenal high with his 2011 short Pioneer. In that he drew fantastic performances from his actors, and so we can’t wait to see what he does with a cast to die for – including Cassey Affleck and Rooney Mara – in his next film, Ain’t Them Bodies Saints.
8: Tomas Alfredson
Hailing from Sweden, Alfredson reached a global audience with his vampiric romantic drama, Let The Right One In (2008), a beautiful take on childhood innocence, love and friendship. His English Language debut, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011), had a palpable sense of smoke stained claustrophobia and confirmed that Alfredson commands atmosphere like no one else. We don’t know what’s coming next or what to expect, but we do know that we will be first in line come release day.
9: Miguel Gomes
Miguel Gomes has a Ingmar Bergman-like fascination with combining past and present, reality and dreams, fact and fiction. So too, like the great Swedish director, Gomes adopts a different style for each film. Our Beloved Month of August (2008) ambitiously blended documentary with drama, while last year’s Tabu (2012) used black-and-white to re-dream cinema that seemed long forgotten. This Portuguese director is certainly for watching.
10: Lynne Ramsay
Lynne Ramsay slowly built a name for herself with various short films and the features Ratcatcher (1999) and Morvern Callar (2002), before exploding with the incredibly affecting adaptation of We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011). With daring use of sound and colour, Ramsay’s adaptation enhanced Lionel Shriver’s novel, making We Need to Talk About Kevin possibly the best film of 2011. Lynne recently showed her robust personality by quitting on the first day of production on – what would have been her next film – Jane Got a Gun. In solidarity, Jude Law quit too, clearly showing that others besides Film Forgeries trust in her ability as a filmmaker. It may not be titled “Jane Got a Gun”, but we can’t wait for her next film.
11: Jordan Vogt-Roberts
It’s a bold claim to call a director “exciting” before they have even released their debut feature. But, although we’re yet to see Vogt-Roberts stretch himself beyond the 40-minute mark, he has already made an impression with his short films. 2010’s Successful Alcoholics announced Vogt-Roberts as a director to watch, an impending feature seeming like a guarantee off the back of the riotously funny and poignantly self-aware 25-minute short, which starred subsequently risen talents Lizzy Caplan and T.J. Miller. The short has toured festivals since its release, while Vogt-Roberts continued to hone his comedic talents over at Funny or Die. This year, we finally get to see what he can do with a feature, and the early word is good. The Kings of Summer is being billed as “Superbad meets Stand-by-Me”, a coming-of-ager that follows three friends through their decision to reject their staid “normal” lives and retreat to the forest where they can reign free. Nominated for the Grand-Jury prize at this years Sundance Film Festival (losing out to Fruitvale – another one to watch), it is said to be a warm and uplifting film that evokes everything its title suggests. It’s another one without the all-important UK distributor but check out the shorts and you’ll realize that it’s only a matter of time.
12: Thomas McCarthy
Compared to Shane Carruth and Behn Zeitlin, Thomas McCarthy could be considered an experienced head. Nevertheless, despite having directed The Station Agent (2003), The Visitor (2007) and Win Win (2011) Thomas McCarthy remains surprisingly unknown as a director. His films are understated explorations of the life of the outsider, that end up being extraordinarily touching. There’s no doubt about it, he deserves to be better known.
13: Benh Zeitlin
Every year there is an underdog. A film that comes from nowhere to defy expectations and ride a wave of arguably justified buzz right the way through to award season. Last year it was Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012) and, this time, all that Oscars hot-air bore fruit. Benh Zeitlin’s debut feature was so flooded with charm they had to bail out the excess with tin buckets just to keep afloat. It was an audacious film, from an incredibly confident team of first-time film-makers, harder to come by than dry-land in the Bathtub. Zeitlin is certainly one to keep an eye on, but Beasts of the Southern Wild is one of those films that appears to be a true collaborative effort. In this instance, it could be argued that it is not just Zeitlin we should keep watching, but the entire team. The beautifully crafted, quasi-fantasy world of the bathtub was created originally by Zeitlin’s co-writer Lucy Alibar, the screenplay being adapted from her stage-play Juicy and Delicious. So add her to the list. Zeitlin’s cinematographer, Ben Richardson has since shot the music video for Passion Pit’s Carried Away, displaying the same visual inventiveness of Beasts (only turned up to 10) and demonstrating what a significant hand he must have had in captivating the aesthetic of Beasts. So I guess he should be on the list too. And then there’s the adorable Quvenzhane Wallis. Noone was really interested in seeing a remake of Annie, were they? But then Quvenzhane was cast in the title role and now it’s muscled it’s way on to an already over-crowded must-see list. Benh Zeitlin is one to watch, for sure, but here is a team of newcomers with the film world at their feet.
14: Shane Carruth
The only Antipodean to find a place on this list, Carruth made a mark in 2004 with his micro-budget time-travel meta-piece, Primer (2004). It was a remarkably accomplished debut that, owing to a practically non-existent budget (AUS $7,000), favoured plot and character over everything, with Carruth acknowledging his financial limitations by opting for modest, low-fi production design that made for a stark and memorable sci-fi feature with big, bold ideas. Aside from a “thanks” credit on Rian Johnson’s Looper, Carruth has presumably been trapped in one of Primer’s time-loops for the past 9 years, only now breaking free to return with his second feature, Upstream Color.
The film screened at Sundance and SXSW earlier in the year to great acclaim, trending on twitter (higher than Sundance itself) and receiving glowing reviews. With Carruth reportedly acting as director, writer, producer, actor, cinematographer, editor, composer, casting director, production designer and sound designer, we may be witnessing the birth of an auteur here.
If the buzz is to be believed, with Upstream Color Carruth has crafted another mind-bending, beguiling and highly original film. Still without a UK distributor, who knows when we will get to see for ourselves.
15: Apichatpong Weerasethakul
Apichatpong Weerasethakul is a leader when it comes to discovering new ways of cinematic storytelling. His films are ambiguous, which will no doubt restrict him to the art circuits and film festivals. Still, he has experienced extraordinary success in these areas, especially at Cannes where Blissfully Yours (2002) won the top prize in the Un Certain Regard programme, and Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (2010) which won the Palme d’Or. His films are incredibly tender and poignant, so if you’re one of the many who has not yet checked him out, he comes highly recommended.
RSS Feed