The beauty of Hollywood is its capacity for international talent to find work in its industry. British-born directors are only one example of filmmakers who have found success at home and in Hollywood. Indeed, the argument could be made that much of American popular cinema’s growth can be attributed to the work or involvement of British directors.Filmmakers like Alfred Hitchcock, Christopher Nolan, Ridley Scott, and David Lean (who is one of themost Oscar-nominated directorsever) have all crossed the pond and established themselves as some of the best directors Hollywood has had to offer.
Indeed, British talents have carved out spaces for themselves in the industry, both nationally and on a global scale, tackling diverse stories across a range of genres. Let’s take a moment to appreciate the best British filmmakers working today, from Amma Asante to Danny Boyle.
8Danny Boyle
Born in Radcliffe, Lancashire to Irish parents,Danny Boyledeepened his love for directing while studying English and Drama at the University College of North Wales, where he directed some productions for the drama society. At first, he worked as a producer for TV films, specifically for BBC Northern Ireland. When the 90s came around, Boyle decided he wanted to direct his own films. His first feature film, the black comedyShallow Grave, was the most commercially successful British film of 1995. This led to the creation of one of the most critically acclaimed and iconic British movies of all time:Trainspotting. Boyle is also responsible for the most successful British film of the 2000s:Slumdog Millionaire.As for the future projects, Boyle is set toadaptThe Matrixinto a dance stage show.
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7Amma Asante
Born in London to parents from Ghana,Amma Asante’s career began when she attended a performing arts school, during which she drafted her first script. She then continued work as a young actress in various productions, such as the TV seriesGrange Hill.Working as a screenwriter for some time, Asante wanted to branch out, and in 2004, she released her first feature film, a drama calledA Way Of Life,which established her as an emerging director full of exciting prospects.Belle,a historical romance film based on Dido Elizabeth Belle, was her next successful spectacle. Asante continued her trajectory of telling the forgotten untold stories withA United Kingdom,which is about Seretse Khama, heir to the throne of the Bangwato Tribe in Serowe. As reported byColliderin 2020, she is set to direct the upcoming Cold War thrillerThe Billion Dollar Spystarring Mads Mikkelsen.
6Christopher Nolan
Christopher Nolandemonstrated an interest in filmmaking from a very young age, which further deepened after he studied at University College London. Not too long after graduating, he made his first feature film in 2000 calledMemento. He soon moved from independent filmmaking to studio productions with his psychological thrillerInsomnia.He’s most known for his commercially successful movies, such asThe Dark Knighttrilogy,Inception, Interstellar, Dunkirk, andTenet.When we say commercially successful, we mean that his movies have grossed over $ 5.7 billion worldwide. The typical characteristics of his movies include existential specificity, metaphysical aesthetic, the exploration of time, memory, and human ethics.
5Steve McQueen
Born in London to a Grenadian mother and a Trinidadian father,Steve McQueenfirst became interested in film while studying in college. Through his early work in short films and visual art, he developed his own experimental style. It would ultimately a few years until McQueen released his first feature length filmHungerin 2008, about the 1981 Irish hunger strike. Since then, he has become known and acclaimed for his socially-conscious films, such asShame, about an executive struggling with sex addiction,Widows, about female criminals,Small Axe, about the lives and history of West Indian community in London, and his most critically acclaimed piece12 Years a Slave, which tells the true story of Solomon Northup.
4Andrea Arnold
Andrea Arnoldstarted her career as a dancer, TV presenter, and actress. Eventually, she realized she wanted to do more, which inspired her to direct and write her own short films. This would later earn her an Academy Award for the masterpiece short filmThe Waspin 2003. Arnold then branched out into feature films, the most well-known being the psychological thrillerRed Road, the dramaFish Tank, about a 15-year-old volatile girl, and the epic road filmAmerican Honey.Arnold is known for giving her actors total controls of their characters, as she purely reflects them on the screen.
Related:Directors Who Have Directed the Most Oscar-Nominated Performances
3Guy Ritchie
Leaving school at 15 years old,Guy Ritchiewas eager to get into the film industry by working entry-level jobs. His first personal success came when he had the chance to direct TV commercials. He then moved to short films and, soon after, released his first feature-length filmLock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels(1998). It wasn’t until his second movie — the crime comedySnatch— that he found critical recognition. The biggest recognition and critical success Ritchie has received was for hisSherlock Holmesfilms, starring Robert Downey Jr., and the latest live-action adaptation ofAladdin. Ritchie is re-teaming with Disney for yet another live action adaptation, perVariety, this time ofHercules.
2Sarah Gavron
1Ridley Scott
Sir Ridley Scottstarted his career in television as a designer and a director. Of course, it wasn’t long before he became one of the most appraised directors of science fiction films. Scott made his directorial debut with the historical dramaThe Duellists(1977). What gained him worldwide recognition was the science fiction filmAlien.Known for his atmospheric style, urban environments, and strong women characters, Scott has become one of the most influential people in British cinema. His most well-known films includeBlade Runner, Gladiator, Robin Hood, The Martian,andThelma & Louise.We can’t wait for his upcoming movieNapoleonstarring Joaquin Phoenix in the lead role.
