Céline Sciamma
| Céline Sciamma | |
|---|---|
 Sciamma in February 2015 | |
| Born |
12 November 1978 Pontoise, Val-d'Oise, France |
| Nationality | French |
| Occupation | Film director, screenwriter |
| Years active | 2004–present |
Céline Sciamma (born 12 November 1978) is a French screenwriter and film director.
Sciamma's work is strikingly minimalist, partly the legacy of her mentor, Xavier Beauvois, who advised her while she was a student at the major French film school, La Fémis. While highly formalist and idiosyncratic (notably in her lack of dialogue and very stylized mise-en-scene), Sciamma's filmmaking, beginning with Water Lilies relates closely to the characteristics of first-time filmmaking in France, notably in its emphasis on coming-of-age films focused on adolescents or pre-adolescents. Sciamma is very interested, moreover, in the fluidity of gender and sexual identity among girls during this formative period.[1]
Life and career
Sciamma was raised in Cergy-Pontoise.[2]
Her debut film Water Lilies was selected for screening in the section Un certain regard at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival. The film secured three nominations for the 2008 César Awards; Sciamma was nominated for the 2008 César Award for Best Debut, and actresses Adèle Haenel and Louise Blachère were both nominated for the 2008 César Award for Most Promising Actress.
Sciamma directed her first short film Pauline in 2009 as part of a government anti-homophobia campaign.
Her 2011 film Tomboy was written and shot in a matter of months.[3] It premiered at the 61st Berlin International Film Festival in the Panorama section of the festival.
Her 2014 film Girlhood was selected to be screened as part of the Directors' Fortnight section of the 2014 Cannes Film Festival.[4] The film was also played at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival and the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. In interviews Sciamma stated that Girlhood would be her last coming-of-age film and she considered it, along with Water Lilies and Tomboy, a trilogy.[5]
Style
Sciamma frequently collaborates with Para One who has scored all her films and who has directed scripts written by Sciamma in the past.
She is noted for casting non-actors in her films.
Sciamma has said that fashion and style form an important part of characterization which is why though uncredited, she works as the costume designer for all her films.[6]
Filmography
References
- ↑ Palmer, Tim (2011). Brutal Intimacy: Analyzing Contemporary French Cinema, Wesleyan University Press, Middleton CT. ISBN 0-8195-6827-9.
- ↑ Romney, Jonathan. "The stars of Girlhood: 'Our poster is all over Paris, with four black faces on it…'". Retrieved 27 April 2015.
- ↑ Silverstein, Melissa. "Interview with Celine Sciamma: Writer/Director of Tomboy BLOGS". Retrieved 13 September 2014.
- ↑ "Cannes Directors' Fortnight 2014 lineup unveiled". Screendaily. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
- ↑ Blay, Zeba. "Interview: 'Girlhood' Director Celine Sciamma on Race, Gender & the Universality of the Story". Retrieved 7 February 2015.
- ↑ Phillips, Mariah. "'GIRLHOOD' DIRECTOR CELINE SCIAMMA TALKS PARIS, FRIENDSHIP, AND COLORFUL STORYTELLING". Retrieved 8 May 2015.