Greta Gerwig
Greta Gerwig has been nominated for three Academy Awards in the past three years. This included her historic nomination for Lady Bird, where she was the first female director to be nominated for a debut film. However, before embarking on her directing career, Gerwig spent a decade as an actress, rising from low-budget films to arthouse favorites.
Gerwig did not initially intend to go into film. After studying English and Philosophy at Barnard College in New York, she applied for her MFA in Playwriting but was rejected from every program she applied to. Moving forward and attempting to find her path post-grad, Gerwig starred in low-budget ‘mumblecore’ films that were known for being heavily improvised. In 2010, Gerwig landed a role in Noah Baumbach’s Greenburg, and soon after the two became romantic and writing partners. Though they were co-writers, Gerwig’s work on their collaborations was often dismissed by critics who referred to her merely as Baumbach’s “muse.”
After several directors told her she had potential to work behind the camera, Gerwig began to teach herself the ins and outs of filmmaking. While on set she studied the equipment and took notes behind the scenes. Gerwig then used her own experiences as an actor to help her cast connect with their characters emotionally. Her directing career has been an inspiration to young female aspiring filmmakers as her films famously center around complex female relationships in a way that is rarely seen on screen.
Words by Sam Sims
Denzel Washington
Ever since his screen debut in 1981 for the comedy Carbon Copy, Denzel Washington has become one of Hollywood’s most recognisable faces. And if you were to ask a friend what their top 10 films are, chances are Mr. Washington has starred in it. His success as an actor has transcended over decades, producing Oscar-worthy performances in films like Glory and Training Day. In every role, he truly brings the character to life; his performances consistently captivate viewers, drawing you in to the movie’s narrative with his empathetic portrayals.
Going onto an even more significant role, Washington directed his first movie, Antwone Fisher, in 2002. His latest film, Fences, explores the harsh realities of racism many African-Americans face. Not only did Washington direct, but he also starred in it as a pessimistic father whose personal past affects his son’s professional future. Fences displays Washington’s talent for both acting and directing effortlessly. He beautifully sums up his work with the quote: “don’t aspire to make a living, aspire to make a difference.”
Words by Naomi Akintola
Taika Waititi
Describing Taika Waititi as an ‘actor-turned-director’ is probably a bit of a stretch, since his career has always had both aspects snaked around it. But in recent years, his work as a director has become far more visible—bringing critical acclaim in his wake.
Waititi’s work often falls within the realm of dark comedy: using elements of absurdism, satire and tight wordplay to create films that more often than not leave audiences laughing upon multiple rewatches. Yet behind all of his humour, his abilities as a storyteller are never obscured. He knows how to juggle narrativr with memorably delightful characters, and for this reason, he’s worth including on a list of actors/directors.
If I had to recommend just one of his films, it would probably be his 2014 mockumentary What We Do In The Shadows, one of the only good vampire films of the 21st century. I choose this one because you’ve probably already seen his MCU contribution Thor: Ragnarok, a film that single-handedly made people care about Thor again, and you’ve probably already been meaning to check out his 2019 dark WW2 comedy Jojo Rabbit, for which he won an Oscar for Best Adapted screenplay. But all of these films are worth checking out, particularly as he acts in each of them as well, delivering outstanding comedic performances.
Words by Mischa Alexander
Elizabeth Banks
Elizabeth Banks’ breakthrough role came as Secretary Betty Brant in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man, leading the way to a string of small yet sparky roles in films such as Catch Me If You Can, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Swept Away and, of course, a memorable role as Effie Trinket in the Hunger Games films.
Then, along came the Pitch Perfect trilogy. Banks started out in the first film as the hilarious Gail, one half of the acapella competition spectators. She went on to not only continue her role in the sequel, but make her big-screen directorial debut with it. Her efforts certainly paid off, as the $69 million opening-weekend gross set a record for a first-time director, proving a massive hit with audiences. A perfectly-pitched feel-good film, Banks’ assured direction made the sequel a great light-hearted pickup for any dreary mood.
Banks’ second outing as director for the reboot of the Charlie’s Angels franchise didn’t go quite as swimmingly, with Banks blaming it on the fact that men didn’t want to go and see the female-driven film. But there’s hope for her upcoming project: The Invisible Women. With the tone of the film being slightly different to her comical ways in previous productions, the ‘Thelma & Louise meets American Psycho’ tone will offer Banks the chance to explore darker themes and hopefully regain her promising rise in the directorial world.
Words by Gabriela Page
Richard Ayoade
Best known as the eccentric Maurice Moss in The IT Crowd for which he won a BAFTA in 2014, Richard Ayoade has had a prolific career. A well-known face in British comedy, he has also appeared in The Mighty Boosh, as well as numerous panel shows. Other appearances outside of the UK include stints in The Mandalorian and the latest Pixar film Soul.
Ayoade has also turned some of his attention towards directing, however. In 2010 he directed Submarine, a coming-of-age film about a teenage boy growing up in Wales who must deal with everything from first love to dysfunctional families. Many have noted its similarity to the works of Wes Anderson, with its affable charm, heart and emotion. Something about Ayoade that I’ve always loved is how quirky he can be, especially when it comes to comedy. With Submarine, even though he’s behind the camera, his idiosyncrasy bleeds into the action: drama and comedy alike.
Ayoade also directed The Double in 2013, an adaptation of Dostoyevsky’s novella about a man taunted by his own doppelgänger. Starring Jesse Eisenberg in two different roles, the film operates as a successful thriller — not least due to Eisenberg’s great performance as well as Ayoade’s unique direction. It’s such a departure from his comedy work, and even Submarine, in terms of tone and narrative. However, his trademark wit is still effervescent within the film’s darker roots, helping him stand out from other directors. It shows how he can switch between different styles effortlessly, whether that be a switch from tones between films, or a switch between acting and directing.
Words by Eddie Nourse
Craig Roberts
Starting out modestly as the witty and humorous Rio Wellard in The Story of Tracy Beaker, Craig Roberts struggled to find notability on a greater scale until being cast in the lead role of Richard Ayoade’s hit indie film Submarine. Though this role is seen as his most impressive, for me it is his directorial work that shines among his wealth of work in the film industry.
In 2015, Roberts wrote, directed and starred in the black comedy Just Jim which, although reaching only a small audience, received critical acclaim. It proved that the then 24-year old Roberts was someone to watch out for. More recently, Roberts directed the stunning drama Eternal Beauty, in which the brilliant Sally Hawkins stars as a woman struggling to keep a hold on her recent schizophrenia diagnosis. The film proved Roberts’ ability to blend dark humour with emotion.
It’s always great to see young directors breaking into the industry, especially when they offer such a unique style like that of Roberts. With his upcoming film The Fantastic Flitcrofts in production, I can’t wait to see what more he has to offer.
Words by Katie Evans
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