Do you want to know about the best Canadian movie directors and their much-admired and award-winning works? Here are the top five Canadian film directors!
Canada is home to renowned artists, historians, scientists, researchers, sportspeople, philanthropists, actors, actresses, technologists, musicians, and movie directors. Over the years, Canada has produced some of the best movie directors with award-winning movies and blockbuster films.
The Canadian government, media organizations, and the private sector collaborate to promote filmmaking in the country. Film production schools and institutions have grown substantially, making Canada one of the major productions hubs globally.
Although Canada has many successful movie directors, today’s article will mention the top five directors who use innovative artistic, dramatic, creative, and visualization techniques to produce blockbuster movies. Read on!
1. David Cronenberg
David Cronenberg is one of the best movie directors, screenwriters, and actors specializing in directing horror movies. Not only has Cronenberg’s films won various awards, but he also has millions of fans worldwide.
Even critics appreciate the innovation and creativity Cronenberg brings in the horror genre of the Canadian film industry. Some of the top David Cronenberg’s movies are Videodrome (1983), the Fly (1986), the Dead Zone (1983), the Brood (1979), Naked Lunch (1991), Crash (1996), Maps to the Stars (2014).
In addition, Cronenberg makes substantial efforts to employ horror and science fiction characteristics in his movies using different techniques and technological aspects, causing viewers on the edge of their seats while watching a movie.
2. Denis Villeneuve
Denis Villeneuve is a French Canadian movie director and writer famous for directing sensitive, inventive, and visually intensive science-fiction movies. Villeneuve has directed numerous movies, and each film focuses on human issues like pain, sorrows, suffering, dark nature, trauma, dilemmas, etc.
The cutting-edge elements, intense, thrilling story, and unmatched cinematics make Villeneuve the best director. Some of the best movies directed by Denis Villeneuve are Arrival (2016), Dune (2021), Blade Runner 2049 (2017), Incendies (2010), and Prisoners (2013). Each movie will give you a thrilling experience and feel delighted to watch.
3. Norman Jewison
Born in Toronto, Ontario, Norman Jewison is one of the best Canadian directors with various blockbuster television series and films. Jewison is famous for depicting and showcasing the American social traumas and problems in his movies.
Besides, Norman Jewison has won many awards for his splendid work, including the best director at the Berlin Film Festival, Director Guilds’ lifetime achievement awards, BAFTA award, and many others.
It is always an amusement to watch Norman Jewison’s blockbuster movies, including F.I.S.T (1979), Jesus Christ Superstar (1973), a soldier’s Story (1984), Best Friends (1982), and Bogus (1986).
Moreover, Jewison is different from other American and Canadian directors because he uses a blend of various genres to ensure entertainment, comedy, visual appeal, and thrill to keep audiences challenged.
4. Denys Arcand
Denys Arcand is one of the top Canadian movie directors who has earned a reputation for movies in various genres, including art, life, trauma, violence, human suffering, and political thrillers.
Arcand’s intellectual curiosity, commitment, and passion for state-of-the-art movies with innovative cinematics, story, script, dialogues, and cohesive entertainment make him a creative director.
Denys Arcand has won many awards, including Crane Grand Prix in 1989, Academy awards for the best international feature film in 2004, Cesar Award for best film and best director in 2004, and many more.
Some of the blockbuster movies directed by this renowned Canadian film director are the Barbarian (2003), the Decline of the American Empire (1986), Days of Darkness (2007), and Cotton Mill, Treadmill (1976).
5. Deepa Mehta
Deepa Mehta is a famous producer and director who has received global acclaim for her state-of-the-art, provocative, emotional, and thought-stimulating movies, especially on social justice, human rights, crime, heroic, musical, drama, and romantic genres.
Some of her best movies are the trilogy Fire (1996), Earth (1998), Midnight Children (2012), Water (2005), and Funny Boy (2020). Deepa Mehta is also well-known for her work in Bollywood cinema, adding Hindi elements to most of her movies.
Anyway, each movie is the epitome of creativity that showcases her essence for vivid cinematography. Mehta won Canadian Screen Award for best screenplay in 2003 and the Canadian Lifetime achievement award in 2019.
Final Words
Canada welcomes everyone from different parts of the world to make their dreams come true in all walks of life. The same is true for movie directors. Some of the top Canadian film directors and producers were not born in Canada – they immigrated to this beautiful country and leveraged the opportunities to earn a name for themselves. Until Next Time!
- Article based on personal opinion and research.
- Photos from Unsplash.
