Jonathan Glazer
Jonathan Glazer | |
|---|---|
_(53255110321)_(cropped)_2.jpg) Glazer in 2023 | |
| Born | 26 March 1965 London, England |
| Education | Nottingham Trent University (BA) |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1993–present |
| Notable work |
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| Spouse | Rachael Penfold |
| Children | 3 |
Jonathan Glazer (born 26 March 1965) is an English film director and screenwriter. He began his career in theatre before transitioning into film, directing the features Sexy Beast (2000), Birth (2004), Under the Skin (2013), and The Zone of Interest (2023).
His work is often characterised by depictions of flawed and desperate characters, explorations of themes such as alienation and loneliness, a bold visual style that utilises an omniscient perspective and dramatic use of music. Glazer has been nominated for six BAFTA Awards and two Academy Awards. For the historical drama The Zone of Interest, he won both the Grand Prix and the FIPRESCI Prize at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, and has been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Glazer has also directed numerous music videos for Radiohead, Massive Attack, Richard Ashcroft and others. For his work, he received nominations for the MTV Video Music Award for Best Direction twice, consecutively for his work on Jamiroquai's "Virtual Insanity" and Radiohead's "Karma Police". He has also directed commercials for Kodak, Sony, Nike, Barclays and Alexander McQueen, among others.
Early life
"There were all these fantastic characters, who were in and out of my house when I was a little boy. Many of them were East End Jews who had moved to the suburbs for a better quality of life, not super-intellectual people, but incredible entertainers – vaudeville musicians, writers and the like. As a child, I loved and absorbed the richness of that culture."
– Glazer about the artistic Jewish community in which he was raised[1]
Jonathan Glazer was born on 26 March 1965 in London, England,[2] and is of Ashkenazi Jewish descent.[1][3] His ancestors were Ukrainian Jews and Bessarabian Jews who fled the Kishinev pogrom and arrived in the United Kingdom in the 1900s.[3][4] He said: "My great-grandparents were born in Vilnius and Odesa. One was a tailor. His wife, a seamstress."[3] Having grown up in Hadley Wood, near Barnet, his family was Reform Jewish: "Synagogue three times a year, and Friday-night dinners every week."[4] He attended the Jewish Free School which was then located in the borough of Camden where he still lives.[5] During his childhood, he participated in the Givat Washington programme in which pupils are sent to Israel and spent five months in a youth village, a combination between a boarding school and a kibbutz dedicated to educating children close to nature.[5]
His late father was a cinephile with whom he frequently watched David Lean, Sidney Lumet, Sydney Pollack, and Billy Wilder movies.[4][6] After graduating with an emphasis in theatre design from Nottingham Trent University, Glazer began his career directing theatre and making film and television trailers.[6][7]
Career
In 1993, Glazer wrote and directed three short films of his own ("Mad", "Pool" and "Commission"), and joined Academy Commercials, a production company based in Central London. He has directed acclaimed campaigns for Guinness (Dreamer, Swimblack and Surfer) and Stella Artois (Devil's Island). Since the mid-1990s, he has directed a number of significant music videos, and was named MTV Director of the Year 1997. He named his video for Radiohead's 1996 single "Street Spirit" as a "turning point" in his work: "I knew when I finished that, because [Radiohead] found their own voices as an artist, at that point, I felt like I got close to whatever mine was, and I felt confident that I could do things that emoted, that had some kind of poetic as well as prosaic value. That for me was a key moment."[8]
In 2000, he directed his first feature, the critically acclaimed British gangster film Sexy Beast, starring Ray Winstone and Ben Kingsley, the latter of whom received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.[9] In 2004, he directed his second feature film Birth, starring Nicole Kidman in the United States.
In 2001, Glazer directed the "Odyssey" spot for Levi Strauss jeans.[10][11] In 2006, he directed the second Sony BRAVIA TV advertisement, which took ten days and 250 people to film. It was filmed at an estate in Glasgow, and featured paint exploding all over the tower blocks.[12] Later the same year, he was commissioned to make a television advert for the new Motorola Red phone. The advertisement, showing two naked black bodies emerging from a lump of flesh rotating on a potter's wheel, was due to air in September 2006 but was shelved by Motorola. The advertisement was to benefit several charities in Africa.
In 2013, he directed Under the Skin, a loose adaptation of Michel Faber's science fiction novel of the same name starring Scarlett Johansson. The film premiered at the 2013 Telluride Film Festival and received a theatrical release in 2014, garnering critical acclaim.[13] The film was named the best film of 2014 by numerous critics and publications,[14] was included in many best-of-the-decade lists, and ranked 61st on the BBC's 100 Greatest Films of the 21st Century list, an international poll of 177 top critics.[15] Under the Skin is the subject of a 2019 non-fiction book entitled Alien in the Mirror: Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Glazer and Under the Skin by author Maureen Foster, an in-depth analysis of the film scene-by-scene and behind-the-scenes.[16]
In October 2019, it was reported that Glazer was working on a new feature film based loosely on Martin Amis’s novel The Zone of Interest, to be co-produced and distributed in the US by A24. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2023 to widespread critical acclaim.[17] The film competed for the Palme d'Or,[18] and won the Grand Prix and FIPRESCI Prize.[19]
At the 96th Academy Awards, accepting the award for Best International Feature Film for The Zone of Interest, Glazer stated:[20] [21]
All our choices are made to reflect and confront us in the present. Not to say, ‘Look what they did then,’ rather ‘Look what we do now.’ Our film shows where dehumanization leads at its worst. It shaped all of our past and present. Right now, we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people. Whether the victims of October 7th in Israel or the ongoing attack on Gaza, all the victims of this dehumanization — how do we resist?
Personal life
Known to be discreet about his private life,[22] Glazer is married to visual effects supervisor Rachael Penfold.[23] They live in Camden, North London with their three children.[1] He is Jewish.[6][24]
Glazer has often cited Stanley Kubrick as his favourite film director and said he was close to Italian and Russian cinemas.[1] His artistic influences include Ingmar Bergman, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Federico Fellini, and Pier Paolo Pasolini.[22]
He is a football fan and supports Arsenal.[6][25]
Filmography
Feature films
| Year | Title | Director | Writer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Sexy Beast | Yes | No |
| 2004 | Birth | Yes | Yes |
| 2013 | Under the Skin | Yes | Yes |
| 2023 | The Zone of Interest | Yes | Yes |
Short films
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Mad | Yes | Yes | Also producer and editor |
| 1997 | Commission | Yes | Yes | |
| 2019 | The Fall | Yes | Yes | |
| 2020 | Strasbourg 1518 | Yes | Yes | TV short |
| First Light: Alexander McQueen | Yes | No |
Music videos
| Year | Title | Artist | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | "Karmacoma" | Massive Attack | |
| "The Universal" | Blur | ||
| 1996 | "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" | Radiohead | |
| "Virtual Insanity" | Jamiroquai | ||
| 1997 | "Cosmic Girl" | Cancelled | |
| "Into My Arms" | Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds | ||
| "Karma Police" | Radiohead | ||
| 1998 | "Rabbit in Your Headlights" | UNKLE ft. Thom Yorke | |
| 2000 | "A Song for the Lovers" | Richard Ashcroft | |
| "Money to Burn" | Cancelled | ||
| 2006 | "Live with Me" | Massive Attack | |
| 2009 | "Treat Me Like Your Mother" | The Dead Weather |
Commercials
| Year | Title | Company |
|---|---|---|
| "Husband to Be" | Kodak | |
| "Linda 2" | Pretty Polly | |
| "Shock of the New" | Mazda | |
| "Chief Executive's Wife" | AT&T | |
| "City" | Club Med | |
| "Sales Director" | AT&T | |
| 1996 | "Frozen Moment" | Nike |
| "New York" | Caffrey's | |
| 1997 | "Parklife" | Nike |
| 1998 | "Swimblack" | Guinness |
| "Lamppost" | BT Easyreach | |
| 1999 | "Surfer" | Guinness |
| 2000 | "Kung Fu" | Levi Strauss |
| "Last Orders" | Stella Artois | |
| "Devil's Island" | ||
| "Protection" | Volkswagen Polo | |
| "Whatever You Ride" | Wrangler | |
| 2001 | "Dreamer" | Guinness |
| 2002 | "Odyssey" | Levi Strauss |
| 2003 | "Evil" | Barclays |
| "Bull" | ||
| "Chicken" | ||
| 2004 | "Bar"[26] | Band Aid 20 |
| "Double Don" | ||
| "Rant" | ||
| "Razor" | ||
| 2006 | "Ice Skating Priests" | Stella Artois |
| "Paint" | Sony BRAVIA | |
| "Clay"[27] | Motorola Red | |
| 2010 | "Temptation" | Cadbury's Flake |
| "Kaka"[28] | Sony 3D | |
| "Last Tango in Compton"[29][30] | Volkswagen Polo | |
| 2013 | "The Ring"[31][32] | Audi |
| 2019 | "Flight" | Apple |
Awards and nominations
References
- ^ a b c d O'Hagan, Sean (10 December 2023). "Jonathan Glazer on his holocaust film The Zone of Interest: 'This is not about the past, it's about now'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ "BFI Screenonline: Glazer, Jonathan (1965-) Biography". Screenonline. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ a b c Forestier, François (28 January 2024). "Jonathan Glazer : " Le mal était là, à Auschwitz, et il fallait lui faire face "". L'Obs (in French). Archived from the original on 7 February 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ a b c Collin, Robbie (24 January 2024). "'These people absolutely could be us': Jonathan Glazer on his film about the mastermind of Auschwitz". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 7 February 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ a b "He's turned the screen Scarlett after a long and alien journey". The Jewish Chronicle. Archived from the original on 7 February 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ a b c d Leigh, Danny (6 March 2014). "Under the Skin: why did this chilling masterpiece take a decade?". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 30 April 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ Cozens, Claire (13 March 2003). "Child abuse ad scoops top gong". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ Anthony Kaufman (12 June 2001). "Shooting the "Beast"; Jonathan Glazer Tames the Gangster Genre". indieWIRE. Archived from the original on 13 December 2007. Retrieved 8 January 2008.
- ^ "Sexy Beast". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 2 August 2011. Retrieved 21 July 2011.
- ^ "Commercials at Framestore CFC: Levi "Odyssey"". Archived from the original on 18 October 2006. Retrieved 24 October 2006.
- ^ "Levis Engineered Jeans in Odyssey". The Inspiration Room. December 2005.
- ^ "Bravia Advert – Just another WordPress site". www.bravia-advert.com. Archived from the original on 19 October 2006.
- ^ McClintock, Pamela (3 November 2010). "Scarlett Johansson gets 'Under the Skin'". Variety. Retrieved 3 November 2010.
- ^ "The Best Movies of the Decade (2010-19), According to Film Critics". Metacritic. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
- ^ "The 21st Century's 100 greatest films". 18 April 2017.
- ^ "Alien in the Mirror – McFarland". Retrieved 30 November 2019.
- ^ "The Zone of Interest, critic reviews". metacritic.com. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
- ^ Sharf, Zack (23 October 2019). "Seven Years After 'Under the Skin,' Jonathan Glazer Ready to Film Next Movie With A24". IndieWire. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
- ^ "The 76th Festival de Cannes winners' list". Festival de Cannes. 27 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
- ^ Pulver, Andrew; Shoard, Catherine (11 March 2024). "'We stand here as Jewish men who refute the Holocaust being hijacked': Jonathan Glazer calls for end to Gaza attacks at Oscars". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ "Jonathan Glazer's Warning at the Oscars". Daily Beast.
- ^ a b Romney, Jonathan (12 July 2014). "Jonathan Glazer interview: 'It felt as if we were under siege'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ Quarshie, Barbara (24 January 2024). "Jonathan Glazer Wife: Meet Rachel Penfold". ABTC. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ "'We stand here as Jewish men who refute the Holocaust being hijacked': Jonathan Glazer calls for end to Gaza attacks at Oscars". The Guardian.
- ^ Davis, Brian (1 June 1996). "His arsenal rules; Jonathan Glazer, a rising star on the British ad scene, is an Arsenal supporter with quite a filmic arsenal of his own". Ad Age. Archived from the original on 7 February 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ Deans, Jason (2 December 2004). "Kingsley reprises Sexy Beast role for Band Aid ads". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
- ^ "Jonathan Glazer's Motorola Red ad faces chop". Campaign. London. 16 November 2006. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
- ^ New Sony 3D TV advert featuring Kaka on YouTube
- ^ Sloan, Pat (12 November 2010). "Volkswagen and DDB UK launch epic new Polo campaign – Jonathan Glazer directs stunning "Last Tango in Compton"" (Press release). London: DDB UK. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
- ^ Volkswagen – 'Last Tango in Compton' on YouTube
- ^ The Audi RS 6 Avant TV commercial on YouTube
- ^ "Audi 'The Ring' (Director's Cut) by Jonathan Glazer". Academy Films. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
- ^ Kevin Jagernauth (30 September 2015). "Watch: Channel 4's Surreal And Beautiful New Brand Identi - The Playlist". The Playlist.
- ^ "'Zone of Interest': How the Oscar-nominated Holocaust drama depicts an 'ambient genocide'". USA TODAY. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
External links
- Jonathan Glazer at IMDb
- Interview with Jonathan Glazer (Directors Label DVD) by Daniel Robert Epstein for Suicide Girls
- 1965 births
- Alumni of Nottingham Trent University
- Directors of Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award winners
- English music video directors
- English film directors
- English male screenwriters
- English people of Ukrainian-Jewish descent
- English screenwriters
- Filmmakers who won the Best Foreign Language Film BAFTA Award
- Jewish English writers
- Living people
- People from Hadley Wood
- Television commercial directors
- Writers from London