As always, there’s many directors we could have mentioned, even excluding filmmakers with festival debuts in 2016 who’s films haven’t yet been released more widely. Among those we also considered were Celine Sciamma, a familiar face on the festival circuit who had her best-received movie to date with the excellent “Girlhood,” Jon Watts, who’s going from “Cop Car” to the re-rebooted “Spider-Man,” “Mediterranea” helmer Jonas Carpignano, “71” helmer Yann Demange, Josh & Bennie Safdie of “Heaven Knows What,” “Slow West” helmer John Maclean, David and Nathan Zellner, the duo behind “Kumiko The Treasure Hunter,” and “Victoria” director Sebastian Schipper.
Also among our potentials were “The Reflektor Tapes” director and music video veteran Kahlil Joseph, Leah Meyerhoff and Shira Piven, who made “I Believe In Unicorns” and “Welcome To Me” respectively, “Paddington” helmer Paul King, “The Tribe” breakout Myroslav Slaboshpytskiy, Duke Johnson, who teamed with Charlie Kaufman for “Anomalisa,” Carol Morley, who did “The Falling,” Taika Waititi, who’s jumping from “What We Do In The Shadows” to “Thor: Ragnarok,” “Catch Me Daddy” director Daniel Wolfe, “Partisan” helmer Ariel Kleiman, and Pixar first-timer Peter Sohn. Anyone else we’ve forgotten? Let us know who you’re tipping in the comments.
Rick Alverson for Entertainment?
I love the way the readers of this site get so personally affronted that the writers\’ choices don\’t correspond exactly with their own. Chill out everyone, it\’s called an opinion! They have one, you have one, we all have one – and the beautiful thing is, none of them are wrong! Wahhey!!!
WOW not even a mention of John Magary\’s The Mend
In the tiled photos heading this article you have a photo from the French film "Girlhood" but nowhere in this article do I see anything about that movie or its director.
This is bizarre that you would put Sam Taylor Johnson on this list – fact is the movie would have been high profile & make a lot at the box office NO MATTER WHO DIRECTED IT. It was one of the most anticipated films because of the book. Not to mention, you gave it an awful review, all critics did. You all said how awful the chemistry was – wasnt this the only redeeming point of 50 shades?? Isnt this one of the key things a director needs to do – direct their actors?? And so I am baffled as to why it proves that she has potential as a director yet (even her first was only "decent" according to you). So explain to me the reasoning behind putting her above directors who have actually shown some sort of unique talent? Would\’ve taken anyone in your sublist before her. Particularly Sebastian Schipper who really did something daring and impressive – deserves recognition far more than just another director taking a pay cheque from Hollywood.
This is bizarre that you would put Sam Taylor Johnson on this list – fact is the movie would have been high profile & make a lot at the box office NO MATTER WHO DIRECTED IT. It was one of the most anticipated films because of the book. Not to mention, you gave it an awful review, all critics did. You all said how awful the chemistry was – wasnt this the only redeeming point of 50 shades?? Isnt this one of the key things a director needs to do – direct their actors?? And so I am baffled as to why it proves that she has potential as a director yet (even her first was only "decent" according to you). So explain to me the reasoning behind putting her above directors who have actually shown some sort of unique talent? Would\’ve taken anyone in your sublist before her. Particularly Sebastian Schipper who really did something daring and impressive – deserves recognition far more than just another director taking a pay cheque from Hollywood.
Amanda Rose Wilder, APPROACHING THE ELEPHANT
Don\’t listen to him. He goes and does this around the internet to amuse himself. He needs help.
Since the Title of this list was:
The 20 Best Breakthrough Directors Of 2015
I didn\’t notice and Qualifiers in your article so What in Hell does "Alex Garland is another (admittedly, white and male) name on the list"
You 2 are not Biased or Racist much, are you ?
So you should be off the List if you are not the PC
Racial/Gender/current correct Demographic ?
I realize that an article like this is purely subjective, but holy hell is this ever a bad list.
Yann Demange\’s \’71 indicates to me that he had the best breakout/debut directorial work of 2015.
What? No Josh Mond for James White. What a complete bs list.
Don’t listen to him. He goes and does this around the internet to amuse himself. He needs help.
Since the Title of this list was:
The 20 Best Breakthrough Directors Of 2015
I didn’t notice and Qualifiers in your article so What in Hell does "Alex Garland is another (admittedly, white and male) name on the list"
You 2 are not Biased or Racist much, are you ?
So you should be off the List if you are not the PC
Racial/Gender/current correct Demographic ?