Great Directors

Great Directors is a revelatory documentary from 2009 that places influential film directors center stage, showcasing their creative minds and idiosyncratic craft. The film boasts a remarkable lineup comprising some of the most seminal filmmakers of our time such as David Lynch, Catherine Breillat, and Bernardo Bertolucci, amongst others.

Directed by Angela Ismailos, Great Directors is a compelling testament to the vast creative forces behind the stories we love on the big screen. Ismailos' attention to these creative individuals' artistry and insight into their cinematic worlds uncovers their intricate processes and unique approaches to filmmaking, offering viewers a much-needed appreciation of the minds behind the camera.

The film features an in-depth interview with the famed American artist David Lynch, renowned for his distinct surrealism and abstract storytelling. Lynch’s contribution to the documentary provides a deep dive into his creative process, exploring his inspirations, vision, and the unparalleled technique that shaped his filmography, including ground-breaking works like "Blue Velvet" and "Mulholland Drive."

Contributing her personal insights, Catherine Breillat, the audacious French filmmaker, also enlightens audiences with her unapologetic and bold storytelling style. Noted for her fearless examination of sexuality and gender, Breillat's vivid analysis of her work reveals the strength of her creative ideas and her ambition to push conventional boundaries of cinema.

Great Directors also unfolds an insightful portrayal of Italian master Bernardo Bertolucci, hailed worldwide for his narrative style and visual granule. His discussion on blending politics, sexuality, and personal narrative into a visual medium sheds light on the relatability of his influential filmography that includes "The Conformist" and "Last Tango in Paris".

Apart from these titans, Great Directors also highlights many other powerhouses of world cinema. Featuring intimate discussion with ten of the world's most acclaimed directors, Ismailos' film is a poignant exploration for the film enthusiasts and a treasure trove of knowledge for aspiring filmmakers. Through their stories, the documentary fosters a deep understanding of the director's role in creating compelling narratives that keep audiences worldwide endlessly enthralled.

The film covers a large geographic area, engaging filmmakers from Italy to France to the United States and beyond, capturing a global perspective on filmmaking. The thoughtful editing beautifully integrates the unique personalities and profound insights of these directors into a cohesive narrative.

Ismailos has managed to dole out moments of raw honesty throughout the documentary and managed to maintain a balance so as not to overshadow the earnestness of these directors. The visible passion of these directors for their craft and their reverence for the medium of cinema form the backbone of this documentary. It provides ample testament to the love, labor, turmoil, triumph, and the psyche that goes into making movies that leave audiences spellbound.

The beauty of Great Directors lies in the fact that it promotes an understanding of cinema that allows us as viewers and, in particular, budding filmmakers, to explore the bigger picture of filmmaking, emphasizing the calibre of directors that have revolutionized global cinema, often against all odds.

With its unique cinematic style, Great Directors isn't just a documentary but rather a journey into the minds of these cinematic visionaries, a master-class for anyone with an active interest in the cinema. By delving into the roots of their passions and investigating the impetus behind their desire to create, it unearths fascinating revelations about revered artists that have shaped contemporary cinema.

In its essence, Great Directors is above all a tribute to the art of filmmaking, an exploration of the brave souls that dared to dream beyond the conventions and delivered masterpieces that continue to captivate the world. The documentary celebrates these resolute visionaries who have continued to enchant and awaken us through the magic of storytelling on screen. This film is a must-watch for movie buffs, film students, and anyone intrigued by the astonishingly creative minds that drive the cinematic world.