Mike Figgis

Biography

Born 02/28/1948

With his roots in experimental theater and music, it is perhaps surprising that Kenyan-born writer-director Mike Figgis started out as such a conventional filmmaker, but his dissatisfaction with the Hollywood studio system eventually led to his true calling as one of the most innovative auteurs...
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Filmography

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Awards

In 2000, received FilmFour Special Jury Prize
In 1995, received San Sebastian Film Festival Best Director Award
In 1995, received Independent Spirit Award for Best Director

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Photos Galleries

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Highlights

In 2000, Produced, scripted and directed "Time Code", in which four digital video cameras were employed to capture different perspectives; shot in sequence in real time entirely with hand-held cameras over the course of one day; has the distinction of being the first feature filmed in one take (there were several "takes", but what the audience sees is one complete take selected by Figgis as the best); also operated one of the four cameras
In 1999, Produced, directed and wrote music for film adaptation of August Strindberg's "Miss Julie"; shot on 16mm in 16 days with two hand-held cameras on one set; used split-screen technique for the love scene, prefiguring his innovative four camera point-of-view in "Time Code"
In 1999, Rejected linear narrative form to tell "The Loss of Sexual Innocence"; directed, scripted, wrote music and played trumpet

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Family & Companions

Saffron Burrows: born c. 1973; directed by Figgis in "One Night Stand" (1997), "The Loss of Sexual Innocence" and "Miss Julie" (both 1999) and "Time Code" (2000)
father: Irish; an alcoholic who died of cancer
mother: worked as an assistant to Ernest Hemmingway for several weeks while he was convalescing in Nairobi, Kenya; also an alcoholic

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