Marek Losey

Marek Losey (born August 1971 in St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, London) is a British-American film director and the third generation of film maker in the Losey family.

Background and early life

Marek Losey is the grandson of Palm D'Or winning Hollywood director Joseph Losey, The Servant (film), The Go-Between (film), Don Giovanni (1979 film), Accident (1967 film) and prolific American fashion designer Elizabeth Hawes. He is the son of the critically acclaimed American film producer Gavrik Losey (Little Malcolm, If, Agatha, Babylon) and former British ballerina Sally Chesterton Losey. Marek has one uncle, actor Joshua Losey and one older brother, director Luke Losey. Marek was raised in Paddington, London, he attended Hallfield Infants and Junior School in Bayswater. Marek then attended boarding school at Dartington Hall School in Devon, until the age of 15, being dyslexic he left school with no qualifications.

Early advertising career

After leaving school, at the age of 16 Marek began his career in the film industry as a runner, he then went on to work as a production manager and first assistant director on music videos, short films and television shows.

1994, Marek formed a co-directing partnership with Terence O'Connor under the name 'Trademark'. 1995, creative recognition came when Trademark beat Alan Parker's 'Murphy's Bitter' commercial to win gold at the Irish Advertising Awards in Kinsale for the strange advert 'Suburban Bliss', Drum Cider,[1] about a man and a goblin's ambiguous relationship in the suburbs of England. Accolades followed for work with Dr Pepper[2], Diesel Jeans[3], Coca Cola[4] and the popular 'How will you eat yours?' Cadbury Creme Egg[5] campaign starring Matt Lucas as George Dawes. Trademark also won awards at D&AD, Epica, Creative Circle and The British Television Awards. At Cannes, Trademark were recognised as Best New Directors at Saatchi & Saatchi sponsored showcase, throughout this period Trademark directed much of their work through production outfits Ridley Scott Associates and The Mob Film Company.

2001, Marek and Terrence split from there directing partnership, Marek continues to direct commercials on his own.

Feature Film Career

2009, Marek’s debut feature film "The Hide" had its first UK theatrical release at the ICA cinemas on 5 June, its DVD release then followed in January 2010. "The Hide", shot at Pinewood Studios and on location in Kent, is the screen adaptation of Tim Whitnall's critically acclaimed play The Sociable Plover an intense and dark thriller. Losey’s film delves into the dark world of human emotion and power struggles. In a bird hide on the wind swept Suffolk marshes, lone bird watcher Roy Tunt (Alex MacQueen, In the Loop) is attempting to complete his immense list of birds by spotting the elusive Sociable Plover. His day is rudely interrupted with the arrival of Dave John (Philip Campbell), an imposing and mysterious stranger. Their opposing social and ideological views create an intriguingly humorous yet deadly game of cat and mouse ensuring a very unexpected outcome. The Hide was described as "a macabre gem" by Cosmo Landesman from The Times. David Jenkins from Time Out[6] wrote "Losey is a tallent to watch and The Hide makes for one hell of a Hollywood calling card". Tim Robey from The Daily Telegraph[7] described The Hide as "a throughly enjoyable two hander, the twist has a sick verve". Philip French from The Guardian [8] wrote "The Hide is a confident and highly promising feature debut from Losey".

The Hide, festivals and awards

Official selection: Dinard Film Festival, (France), 2008. Sao Paulo Film Festival, (Brazil), 2009. International Filmfest Emden, (Germany), 2009. Marfici Film Festival (Argentina), 2009.

"Nominations" Best actor:Evening Standard British Film Awards (UK) 2010. Outstanding Achievement in Production:The British Independent Film Awards (UK) 2009. Best Original Score:Syracuse Film Festival, (USA), 2009. Best Editor:Syracuse Film Festival, (USA), 2009. Best Screenplay:Writers Guild (UK), 2010.

Awards: Best actor: Syracuse Film Festival, (USA), 2009. Best cinematography: Syracuse Film Festival, (USA), 2009. Best cinematography: Monaco Film Festival,(Monaco), 2009. Creative achievement: Monaco Film Festival, (Monaco), 2009. Best film: Swale Film Festival, (UK), 2009. Best actor: Marbella International Film Festival, (Spain), 2009. Best Film: Beaufort Film Festival (USA), 2010.

Personal life

Marek is married to Sophie Losey and has two children, Joachim and Eve Losey. They live in North London, England.

References

• Film4 interview with Marek Losey : http://www.film4.com/features/article/marek-losey-on-the-hide

• Film4, The Hide review :http://www.film4.com/reviews/2008/the-hide

• The Independent, interview with Marek Losey, 2009: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/closeup-marek-losey-1696210.html

• Guardian, The Hide review, 2009: http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/jun/07/the-hide-film-review

• Time Out: review, http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/87086/the-hide.html

• The Telegraph review, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/5453375/The-Hide-review.html

• LoveFilm Interview with Marek Losey at Cannes Film Festival http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TImxKnMbdew

• Sky Movies review, http://movies.sky.com/the-hide/review

• Eye For Film review, http://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/reviews.php?id=8101

• 28 Days Later review, http://www.28dayslateranalysis.com/2011/08/hide-and-mysterious-pasts-movie-review.html

External links

• The Hide official movie trailer, 2009
• Marek Losey's youtube channel
• Marek Losey Twitter
• Marek Losey IMDB