Favourite active filmmakers

The most well read and talented filmmaker living, who has re-written the traditional concept of scriptwriting. Knowledge of the writings of philosophers, of religious texts, and the context of musical pieces from around the world will help one to appreciate his complex films and help put sequences in their intended context.

Russia's new Tarkovsky. All his films are gems. Another director who cares about the choice of relevant music to underscore the plot.

Tarkovsky's colleague, whose best work was his US film "Runaway Train" mistaken for an action film by many. His US film "Shy People" was appreciated more outside USA than within. His recent partnership with co-scriptwriter Elena Kiseleva has raised his quality of filmmaking to even higher levels.

A well-read, sensitive filmmaker of immense talent who has raised the bar of Turkey's cinema.

His Yusuf trilogy is one of the finest trilogies in recent times. This Turkish director is waiting to be discovered by the West.

Japan's Terrence Malick.

As a duo, Luc and Jean-Pierre, have been able to raise realism to a new level--by questioning accepted social norms and their correctness. They have helped put Belgian cinema at the top.

Three of my favourite films are "Japon,""Silent Light," and "Post Tenebras Lux."

I consider her film "The Intruder" to be one of finest works of the 21st century. However, her love of Ozu's cinema in "36 Shots of Rum" will not be appreciated by those not initiated to Ozu's aesthetics. She is one of best French directors active today.

He can mesmerize you. "Paterson" is an example of his mastery of words and visuals. It is sad that he as not been recognized more in his own country, especially at the Oscars.

He caught my eye with "Consequences of Love." Loved all his work ever since! Another example of an erudite director. A filmmaker who loves to refer to the writings of French author Louis-Ferdinand Celine directly and indirectly.

"Kes" introduced the world to his talent but his later films built on his partnership with scriptwriter Paul Laverty have been consistently staggering--"I, Daniel Blake" being their crowning glory.

Three works of Sokurov appeal to me: "Mother and son," "Faust" and "The Russian Ark." I interviewed Sokurov (See http://moviessansfrontiers.blogspot.com/2018/03/russian-maestro-aleksandr-sokurov.html )

I have seen 13 of his feature films. He writes (his latest film "Monster" is an exception), directs and edits his own films--an awesome fact by itself. His best work for me is "The Third Murder" (2017) which I found to be superior to his "Shoplifters" (2018).

So many good films from this Hungarian lady. "On Body and Soul" is her best work.

My favorite films of this physicist-turned-filmmaker are "Foreign Body," "Ways in the Night," and "Illumination." I was honored to have interviewed him in my own city, where he was bestowed with a lifetime achievement award at the International Film Festival of Kerala. The interview appears at https://moviessansfrontiers.blogspot.com/2023/12/the-polish-film-maestro-krzysztof.html

My favorite works are "The Legend of 2000" and "A Pure Formality"

Having seen all his feature films, except "Gilliap," my favorite is "About Endlessness"

This brave Iranian filmmaker is currently jailed in Iran because his films that win awards worldwide unsettle the current Iranian government. His best work "There is No Evil," won the Golden Bear for Best Film in competition at the Berlin International Film Festival.