Mat Whitecross
Mat Whitecross (born 21 September 1977)[1] is an English film director, editor and screenwriter. He is known for directing The Road to Guantánamo, Ian Dury biopic Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll, and music documentaries Oasis: Supersonic and Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams. Whitecross has also directed music videos for Coldplay, Take That, and The Rolling Stones.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Mat Whitecross | |
---|---|
Born | Oxford, England | 21 September 1977
Occupation |
|
Years active | 2006–present |
Life and career
Whitecross was born and raised on Oxford. His parents were political refugees who were imprisoned in Argentina during the country’s Dirty War. He takes a lot of inspiration from the place where he was raised and from his parent's friends, many of whom are South American immigrants who fled tortures and prison.[10] He began his career working for filmmaker Michael Winterbottom and producer Andrew Eaton at Revolution Films as a runner on the film 24 Hour Party People. Within a few months of starting at Revolution Films, they gave him the chance to shooting and editing for them. His directorial debut The Road to Guantanamo started as a conversation with Winterbottom about the Tipton Three whilst on the shoot for the film 9 Songs. They both agreed that the story was fascinating and worth of a film but due to other commitments, Winterbottom was unable to begin research and preparation and suggested that Mat should start the process. Whitecross and Winterbottom would go on to co-direct and co-write the film that featured Riz Ahmed in his debut acting role.[11]
Recognition
Whitecross’ debut The Road to Guantánamo won the Silver Bear for Best Director at the 56th Berlin International Film Festival and Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary Feature.[12][13][14]
Filmography
Film
Year | Film | Director | Writer | Editor | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2004 | 9 Songs | No | No | Yes | |
2006 | The Road to Guantánamo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Co-Directed
and Co-Written with Michael Winterbottom. Won the Silver Bear for Best Director and Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary Feature. |
Scott Walker: 30 Century Man | No | No | Yes | ||
2009 | Moving to Mars | Yes | Yes | No | |
The Shock Doctrine | Yes | No | Yes | ||
2010 | Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll | Yes | No | No | |
2012 | Ashes | Yes | No | No | |
Spike Island | Yes | No | No | ||
2016 | Oasis: Supersonic | Yes | No | No | |
2018 | Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams | Yes | No | No | |
Television
Year | Film | Director | Executive Producer |
Writer | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2007 | Nearly Famous | Yes | No | No | Episode 1.4 - Episode 1.3 |
2008 | Spooks: Code 9 | Yes | No | No | |
2017 | Red Nose Day Actually | Yes | No | No | Co-Directed with Richard Curtis |
2018 | Vic and Bob's Big Night Out | Yes | No | No | Writers: Bob Mortimer and Vic Reeves |
Music Videos
Year | Artist | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1999 | Coldplay | Bigger Stronger | |
2008 | Violet Hill, Version 2 | ||
Lost! | |||
Lovers in Japan | |||
Lost+ Feat. Jay-Z | |||
2010 | Take That | The Flood | |
Coldplay | Christmas Lights | ||
2011 | Take That | Kidz | Co-directed with Eran Creevy |
Coldplay | Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall | ||
Paradise | |||
The Rolling Stones | No Spare Parts | ||
2012 | Coldplay | Charlie Brown | |
2014 | A Sky Full of Stars, Version 1 | ||
2015 | Adventure of a Lifetime | ||
2017 | Take That | Giants | |
The Chainsmokers and Coldplay | Something Just Like This, Tokyo Remix | ||
2019 | Coldplay | Orphans |
References
- "Мат Уайткросс, Режиссер: фото, биография, фильмография, новости - Вокруг ТВ". Вокруг ТВ.
- "Adventure of a Lifetime – behind the scenes on the set of Coldplay new video". The Guardian.
- Hall, James (14 November 2018). "Divorce, democracy, and backstage drama: a new Coldplay documentary reveals all about Britain's biggest band". The Telegraph.
- ""Sex & Drugs" and punk nostalgia in Ian Dury movie". Reuters. 8 January 2010.
- "The Coldplay film was the band's best chance to turn the haters. Sadly, they've blown it". British GQ.
- "Coldplay Could Be Taking New Music Out On The Road Much Sooner Than You Think". Bustle.
- "Interview: Mat Whitecross on #AHFODfilm". Coldplay.
- "What's the Story: Gallagher Brothers Reunite for Oasis Documentary". Newsweek. 5 November 2015.
- "This is History: Mat Whitecross on directing Supersonic | Oasis Recording Information". www.oasis-recordinginfo.co.uk.
- "Mat Whitecross". HUNGER TV.
- "indieWIRE INTERVIEW: Mat Whitecross, Co-Director of "The Road to Guantanamo"". IndieWire. 22 June 2006.
- "Mat Whitecross". Mountainfilm. 11 May 2011.
- "Bio to Mat Whitecross". www.pulsefilms.com.
- "Independent Spirit Award winners". Variety. 24 February 2007.