Buzz
Every individual featured here shares a unifying trait: their profound passion for (or past devotion to) creating films. They view the world through a unique perspective, narrating stories in ways few can. Beyond their captivating movies, these filmmakers possess distinctive qualities—whether it's an amusing quirk or an extraordinary talent—that enable them to pursue their dreams daily.
“I don’t dream at night, I dream at day, I dream all day; I’m dreaming for a living.”—Steven Spielberg
Discover ten intriguing facts about some of the most renowned filmmakers you might not be aware of.
10. Ovophobia
Alfred Hitchcock, renowned as the Master of Suspense, crafted unforgettable scenes that have cemented their place in horror lore. Yet, in his private life, he was an eccentric figure plagued by numerous phobias. Among these was a deep-seated fear of law enforcement, instilled by his authoritarian father, who would threaten to “lock him up” during his childhood misbehavior. This dread persisted into adulthood, leaving Hitchcock terrified of being wrongfully arrested and imprisoned indefinitely.
Hitchcock also harbored fears of intimacy, heights, and, most peculiarly, eggs. He openly admitted to being an ovophobe, once stating in an interview, “That smooth, white sphere with no openings… is there anything more repulsive than an egg yolk rupturing and oozing its yellow contents? Blood is vibrant and red, but egg yolk is yellow and utterly disgusting. I’ve never dared to taste it.”
9. Pioneer of Montage
Sergei Mikhailovich Eisenstein is celebrated for his groundbreaking silent films, including Strike, Battleship Potemkin, and October, released in 1925 and 1927. He is also famed for his works Alexander Nevsky and Ivan the Terrible.
Eisenstein revolutionized filmmaking as a trailblazer of montage, earning the title “Father of Montage.” He conceptualized montage as “an idea born from the juxtaposition of independent shots, where each element is perceived not alongside the other but layered upon it.” He regarded montage as the “essence of cinema” and employed five distinct techniques in his films: metric, rhythmic, tonal, overtonal, and intellectual montage.
Eisenstein’s innovative methods and expertise have left an indelible mark on cinema, with his techniques still influencing filmmakers to this day.
8. A Shared Fascination with the Macabre
Shelton Jackson Lee, widely recognized as Spike Lee, is celebrated for his bold exploration of contentious themes. His first feature film, She’s Gotta Have It, debuted in 1986 and received acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival. The film delved into the romantic experiences of a modern Black woman. His follow-up, School Daze, tackled the issue of colorism through satire, while his third film, Do the Right Thing, drew inspiration from the Howard Beach tragedy, where a Black man was pursued and killed by a group of white teenagers.
Lee attended New York University, where he crossed paths with Ang Lee and Oliver Stone. Among his instructors was none other than Martin Scorsese. Their friendship, forged during their university days, has endured over the years, culminating in their collaboration on the 1995 film Clockers.
Lee and Scorsese also share a mutual fascination with the macabre, both possessing a penchant for dark and unsettling film content. Scorsese once contacted Lee to share something intriguing, which turned out to be a scene from Goodfellas featuring a man’s head trapped in a vice, causing his eyes to bulge. Lee reminisced about how they both erupted into laughter, realizing their shared affinity for grim humor.
7. Tim Burton’s Unique Connections
Tim Burton’s name evokes imagery of fantastical and eerie cinematic worlds, with films like Dumbo, Mars Attacks, Alice In Wonderland, Sleepy Hollow, Beetlejuice, and Sweeney Todd among his many creations. Burton also developed a strong professional bond with actor Johnny Depp, casting him in eight of his movies.
In 1984, Burton was dismissed from Disney after producing “Frankenweenie” as a short film for the studio. Executives claimed they had wasted their investment, arguing the film would terrify children. However, Burton proved he didn’t need Disney, achieving immense success independently in Hollywood. This success enabled him to reimagine Frankenweenie as a full-length animated feature, which debuted in 2012.
Burton’s creative influence is far-reaching. In 2009, former U.S. President Barack Obama enlisted his help to organize a Halloween celebration at the White House. Burton transformed the State Dining Room into a scene reminiscent of the tea party from Alice in Wonderland, even bringing in Johnny Depp, who attended dressed as the Mad Hatter.
6. A Musical Interlude During Wartime
Mel Brooks is a multifaceted talent, excelling as an American filmmaker, composer, actor, and comedian. With a career lasting over seventy years, he began as a writer and comedian for Sid Caesar’s Your Show of Shows. As a director, he crafted iconic comedies such as Young Frankenstein, Silent Movie, Spaceballs, and the beloved Robin Hood: Men in Tights. Brooks is also an EGOT recipient, having earned Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards.
During WWII, Brooks was tasked with constructing Bailey bridges capable of supporting motorcades and tanks. One night, while assembling a bridge, he heard German soldiers singing nearby. Reflecting on the incident, he wrote, “I found their singing dreadful and decided to show them how it’s done. Grabbing a bullhorn, I stood by the riverbank and sang in the style of Al Jolson.”
He later mentioned that he believed he heard applause from the soldiers after his performance, though he conceded it might have been his imagination.
5. A Unique Approach to Dress Code
Following her work in various mumblecore films, Greta Gerwig teamed up with her partner Noah Baumbach on projects like Greenberg, Frances Ha, and Mistress America. Her solo directorial efforts include Lady Bird and the highly praised Little Women (2019).
Gerwig never gained admission to any MFA programs, forcing her to learn the film industry through hands-on experience. After her work in low-budget films, she landed her breakthrough role in Greenberg.
Colleagues who have worked with Gerwig consistently commend her approach. Unlike many directors who rely on fear and intimidation, Gerwig prioritizes creating a positive and engaging environment for her crew. To foster camaraderie, she famously wore a prom dress and sat in the director’s chair during specific scenes in Lady Bird, aiming to emphasize equality and inclusivity on set.
4. A Profound Sense of Passion
Agnes Varda played a pivotal role in shaping the French New Wave movement during the 1950s and 1960s. Her unique cinematic style blended documentary realism, social critique, and themes centered on women’s experiences. Varda became the first female director to receive an honorary Oscar and was honored with accolades such as the Honorary Palme d’Or and Golden Lion throughout her illustrious career.
Varda was among the 343 women who signed the Manifesto of the 343, publicly acknowledging her experience with abortion when it was illegal in France. To maintain creative control, she established her own production company. In 2013, her first art exhibition in Los Angeles showcased her photographs, short films, and sculptures.
In 2017, two years prior to her passing, Varda likened herself to a “heart-shaped” potato sprouting anew as she returned to filmmaking with the documentary Faces, Places. This metaphor drew from her heart-shaped potato art, a project she began in 1953. Following her death, admirers paid tribute by leaving flowers and heart-shaped potatoes outside her home in France, honoring the woman who revealed beauty in everyday life.
3. A Unique Brand of Magic
Orson Welles achieved fame in 1938 through an unconventional route. His radio adaptation of The War of the Worlds was so convincing that some listeners believed an actual alien invasion was underway.
He further cemented his reputation with his debut film, Citizen Kane, released in 1941. Welles continued to create films marked by his signature style, featuring nonlinear storytelling, chiaroscuro lighting, deep focus cinematography, and extended takes.
Welles holds two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one for his contributions to radio and another for his achievements in film. Lesser known is his membership in the Society of American Magicians and the International Brotherhood of Magicians, where he frequently performed magic tricks at conventions.
By the time of his passing in 1985, Welles had finished thirteen films and left fifteen others unfinished.
2. A Coffee Commercial Sparks Romance
Ridley Scott, often hailed as having “the finest eye in the industry,” is celebrated for iconic films like Alien, Prometheus, Gladiator, Hannibal, and Matchstick Men. Inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2007 and knighted in 2003, Scott’s meticulous attention to detail stems from his military and artistic roots. His dedication is so intense that Sigourney Weaver once remarked he cared more about props and sets than the actors.
Early in his career, Scott directed a Maxwell House coffee commercial featuring Shakira Baksh in the 1970s. Michael Caine, captivated by Baksh’s beauty after seeing the ad, became determined to find her. After locating her, he called her eleven times before she agreed to meet him.
Caine and Baksh wed in 1973 and remain together to this day.
1. The Rise of a Star
Kathryn Bigelow made history in 1995 as the first woman to win the Saturn Award for Strange Days. She also became the first woman to receive the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Director twice—first for The Hurt Locker in 2008 and again for Zero Dark Thirty in 2012. Her work on The Hurt Locker also earned her the distinction of being the first woman to win an Oscar for Best Director.
While filming the 1991 hit Point Break, Bigelow was married to James Cameron, and the duo collaborated on much of the final script. However, only W. Peter Iliff was credited for the screenplay. Bigelow, who took over for Ridley Scott, insisted on casting Keanu Reeves as Johnny Utah, despite the studio’s preference for bigger names like Johnny Depp, Val Kilmer, and Willem Dafoe. Her decision paid off, as the film catapulted Reeves to stardom and paved the way for his future roles.
