Denis Villeneuve

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**Denis Villeneuve** OC CQ (Template:IPA-fr; born October 3, 1967) is a French Canadian film director, writer, and producer. He is a four-time recipient of the Canadian Screen Award (formerly Genie Award) for Best Direction, for *Maelström* in 2001, *Polytechnique* in 2009, *Incendies* in 2011 and *Enemy* in 2014. The first three of these films also won the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television Award for Best Motion Picture, while the latter was awarded the prize for best Canadian film of the year by the Toronto Film Critics Association.

Internationally, he is known for directing several critically acclaimed films, such as the thriller films *Prisoners* (2013) and *Sicario* (2015), as well as the science fiction films *Arrival* (2016) and *Blade Runner 2049* (2017). For his work on *Arrival*, he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Director. He was awarded the prize of Filmmaker of the Decade by the Hollywood Critics Association in December 2019.

## Early life

Villeneuve was born on October 3, 1967, in the village of Gentilly in Bécancour, Quebec, to Nicole Demers, a homemaker, and Jean Villeneuve, a notary. He is the eldest of four siblings; a younger brother, Martin, later also became a filmmaker.

Villeneuve played hockey in his youth, but considers himself a poor player. He became interested in sci-fi comics through the works of Moebius, Enki Bilal, Jean-Claude Mézières, Philippe Druillet and Alejandro Jodorowsky. He then developed a passion for cinema and made short films during high school. Among his favorite films at the time were *2001: A Space Odyssey*, *Close Encounters of the Third Kind* and *Blade Runner*.

Villeneuve attended the Séminaire Saint-Joseph de Trois-Rivières and later studied science at the Cégep de Trois-Rivières. He studied cinema at the Université du Québec à Montréal.

## Career

Villeneuve began his career making short films and won Radio-Canada's youth film competition, *La Course Europe-Asie*, in 1991.

*August 32nd on Earth* (1998), Villeneuve's feature film directorial debut, premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival. Alexis Martin won the Prix Jutra for Best Actor. The film was selected as the Canadian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 71st Academy Awards, but was not nominated.

His second film, *Maelström* (2000), attracted further attention and screened at festivals worldwide, ultimately winning eight Jutra Awards and the award for Best Canadian Film from the Toronto International Film Festival. He followed that up with the controversial, but critically acclaimed black and white film *Polytechnique* (2009) about the shootings that occurred at the Montreal university. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and received numerous honours, including nine Genie Awards, becoming Villeneuve's first film to win the Genie (now known as a Canadian Screen Award) for Best Motion Picture.

 File:Denis Villeneuve Cannes 2015.jpg
Villeneuve's fourth film *Incendies* (2010) garnered critical acclaim when it premiered at the Venice and Toronto International Film Festivals in 2010. *Incendies* was subsequently chosen to represent Canada at the 83rd Academy Awards in the category of Best Foreign Language Film and was eventually nominated for the award, though it did not win. The film went on to win eight awards at the 31st Genie Awards, including Best Motion Picture, Best Direction, Best Actress (Lubna Azabal), Best Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Editing, Overall Sound, and Sound Editing. *Incendies* was chosen by *The New York Times* as one of the top 10 best films of that year.

In January 2011, he was selected by *Variety* as one of the top ten filmmakers to watch. Also in 2011, Villeneuve won the National Arts Centre Award.

Villeneuve followed *Incendies* with the crime thriller film *Prisoners*, starring Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal. The film screened at festivals across the globe, won several awards, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography in 2014.

Following *Incendies* and *Prisoners*, Villeneuve won Best Director for his sixth film, the psychological thriller *Enemy* (2014), at the 2nd Canadian Screen Awards. The film was awarded the $100,000 cash prize for best Canadian film of the year by the Toronto Film Critics Association in 2015.

Later that year, Villeneuve directed the crime thriller film *Sicario*, scripted by Taylor Sheridan, and starring Emily Blunt, Benicio del Toro, Daniel Kaluuya, and Josh Brolin. The film competed for the Palme d'Or at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, though it did not win. It screened at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2015 and went on to gross nearly $80 million worldwide.

Villeneuve subsequently directed his eighth film, *Arrival* (2016), based on the short story *Story of Your Life* by author Ted Chiang, from an adapted script by Eric Heisserer, with Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner starring. Principal photography began on June 7, 2015 in Montreal, and the film was released in 2016. *Arrival* grossed $203 million worldwide and received critical acclaim, specifically for Adams's performance, Villeneuve's direction, and the film's exploration of communicating with extraterrestrial intelligence. *Arrival* appeared on numerous critics' best films of the year lists, and was selected by the American Film Institute as one of ten films of the year. It received eight nominations at the 89th Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay, ultimately winning one award for Best Sound Editing. It was also awarded the Ray Bradbury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation and the Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation in 2017.

In February 2015, it was announced that Villeneuve would direct *Blade Runner 2049*, the sequel to Ridley Scott's *Blade Runner* (1982). Scott served as the film's executive producer on behalf of Warner Bros. It was released on October 6, 2017 to critical acclaim and middling box office returns. David Ehrlich of *IndieWire* wrote, "Few filmmakers of the 21st century have risen to prominence and prestige with the forcefulness of *Blade Runner 2049* director Denis Villeneuve, whose seemingly unstoppable career has been bolstered by a steady balance of critical respect and commercial success. In fact, Christopher Nolan is the only other person who comes to mind, and the similarities between the two of them are hard to ignore."

In December 2016, it was announced Villeneuve would direct *Dune*, a new adaption of the 1965 novel for Legendary Pictures with Villeneuve, Eric Roth, and Jon Spaihts writing the screenplay. Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac and Zendaya will star in the film. It is scheduled to be released on December 18, 2020, by Warner Bros. Pictures. Additionally, Villeneuve will serve as an executive producer and direct the first episode of *Dune: The Sisterhood*, a spin-off television series focusing on the female characters in the novel, for HBO Max.

Villeneuve is set to direct the adaptation of Jo Nesbø's crime novel *The Son*.

## Personal life

Villeneuve is married to Tanya Lapointe, a journalist, and he has three children from a previous relationship. His younger brother, Martin Villeneuve, is also a filmmaker.

## Reception

Critical, public and commercial reception to Villeneuve's directorial features.

## Accolades

*Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Denis Villeneuve*

## References

1. ↑ "Polytechnique sweeps Genie Awards". *Toronto Star*, April 12, 2010.
2. ↑ "Villeneuve’s Incendies wins eight Genies, including best picture". *The Globe and Mail*, March 10, 2011.
3. ↑ Lynch, John (September 28, 2017). "The first reviews of 'Blade Runner 2049' are calling it a 'sci-fi masterpiece'". http://www.businessinsider.com/blade-runner-2049-first-reviews-sci-fi-masterpiece-2017-9. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
4. ↑ "Impeccably cool 'Blade Runner 2049' is a ravishing visual feast: EW review". September 29, 2017. http://ew.com/movies/2017/09/29/blade-runner-2049-review/. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
5. ↑ "'Arrival' Director Denis Villeneuve on Oscar Noms, Amy Adams' Snub", *Entertainment Weekly*.
6. ↑ December 13, Montreal Gazette Updated; 2019 (December 13, 2019). "Quebec filmmaker Denis Villeneuve to be honoured by critics' association | Montreal Gazette". https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/quebec-film-director-denis-villeneuve-to-be-honoured-by-critics-association.
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Les parents de Denis Villeneuve débordent de fierté". CBC/Radio-Canada. January 24, 2017. http://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1012814/parents-denis-villeneuve-fiers. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Fontaine, Myriam; Mullen, Patrick (January 27, 2011). "Denis Villeneuve". https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/denis-villeneuve. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Vineyard, Jennifer (January 25, 2017). "Denis Villeneuve Has Arrived. Now He’s About to Take the Next Step.". Retrieved on January 25, 2020.
10. ↑ Bishop, Bryan (December 21, 2016). "Arrival director Denis Villeneuve on the politics of the year’s best sci-fi film". Retrieved on January 25, 2020.
11. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 2, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110302085818/http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/movie-guide/Villeneuve+hometown+holds+carpet+bash/4357764/story.html. Retrieved March 1, 2011.
12. ↑ "Festival de Cannes: *August 32nd on Earth*". *Festival-Cannes.com*. Archived from the original on January 22, 2013. https://archive.today/20130122220445/http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/10330/year/1998.html. Retrieved October 4, 2009.
13. ↑ Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
14. ↑ "45 Countries Submit Films for Oscar Consideration". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. November 19, 1998. Archived from the original on February 19, 1999. https://web.archive.org/web/19990219094343/http://www.oscars.org/pressreleases/98.11.19.html. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
15. ↑ Lacey, Liam (December 13, 2000). "Maelstrom storms the Genies". *The Globe and Mail*. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/maelstrom-storms-the-genies/article18428436/. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
16. ↑ Vlessing, Etan (September 22, 2010). "Canada picks 'Incendies' to vie for Oscar", *The Hollywood Reporter*. Retrieved on September 29, 2010.
17. ↑ "Nominees for the 83rd Academy Awards". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/83/nominees.html. Retrieved January 25, 2011.
18. ↑ "Genie Awards: It's "Incendies" and the Red Carpet – Blog – The Film Experience". http://thefilmexperience.net/blog/2011/3/13/genie-awards-its-incendies-and-the-red-carpet.html. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
19. ↑ Holden, Stephen (December 14, 2011). "2011 Films: 'Melancholia,' 'Tree of Life,' 'Moneyball'".
20. ↑ "Variety taps Canadians among directors to watch", CBC News (January 3, 2011).
21. ↑ Villeneuve, Denis. "Denis Villeneuve, 2011 National Arts Centre Award". Governor General's Performing Arts Awards. http://ggpaa.ca/award-recipients/2011/villeneuve-denis.aspx. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
22. ↑ "11-time Oscar nominee Roger Deakins talks 'Prisoners' and the upcoming 'Unbroken'". http://www.hitfix.com/in-contention/11-time-oscar-nominee-roger-deakins-talks-prisoners-and-the-upcoming-unbroken. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
23. ↑ "Villeneuve's Enemy wins $100,000 Toronto critics' prize for best Canadian film of 2014". https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/villeneuves-enemy-wins-100000-toronto-film-critics-prize-for-best-canadian-movie-of-the-year/article22321799/. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
24. ↑ "Denis Villeneuve in Talks To Direct Mexican Crime Drama Sicario for Black Flag" (December 6, 2013). Retrieved on June 2, 2014.
25. ↑ "Josh Brolin to Star Opposite Emily Blunt in Denis Villeneuve's 'Sicario'", *Variety* (May 30, 2014). Retrieved on June 2, 2014.
26. ↑ "2015 Official Selection". *Cannes*. Archived from the original on April 18, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150418084150/http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/article/61306.html. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
27. ↑ "Sicario (2015) – Box Office Mojo". http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=sicario.htm. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
28. ↑ "Cannes: Paramount Confirms 'Story Of Your Life' Acquisition; $20 Million Is Fest Record Deal", Deadline Hollywood (May 14, 2014).
29. ↑ "Jeremy Renner Joins Amy Adams in Sci-Fi 'Story of Your Life'", *The Hollywood Reporter* (March 6, 2015).
30. ↑ "Amy Adams, Jennifer Garner spotted in Montreal as Hollywood filming heats up". Montreal. https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/arts/amy-adams-jennifer-garner-spotted-in-montreal-as-hollywood-filming-heats-up. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
31. ↑ ""Film Critic Top 10 Lists - Best Movies of 2016 - Metacritic". Metacritic. http://www.metacritic.com/feature/film-critics-list-the-top-10-movies-of-2016. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
32. ↑ Hipes, Patrick (December 8, 2016). "AFI Awards: Best Of 2016 List Includes 'Silence', 'Hacksaw Ridge' & More". Archived from the original on December 22, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161222192150/http://deadline.com/2016/12/afi-awards-film-2016-list-silence-sully-zootopia-1201867080/. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
33. ↑ "Nebula Awards 2017". *Science Fiction Awards Database*. Archived from the original on May 23, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170523200644/http://www.sfadb.com/Nebula\_Awards\_2017. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
34. ↑ "2017 Hugo Awards". World Science Fiction Society. Archived from the original on July 28, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170728133620/http://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-history/2017-hugo-awards/. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
35. ↑ "'Blade Runner' Sequel Has Found Its Director!", *Variety* (February 26, 2015). Retrieved on February 26, 2015.
36. ↑ "Denis Villeneuve in Talks to Direct 'Blade Runner' Sequel", *Variety* (February 26, 2015). Retrieved on February 26, 2015.
37. ↑ "'Blade Runner' sequel concept art: See a first look". July 15, 2016. http://ew.com/article/2016/07/15/blade-runner-sequel-concept-art/.
38. ↑ Vincent, Alice (October 9, 2017). "Blade Runner 2049 has flopped at the box office – here are six reasons why", *The Telegraph*.
39. ↑ "Denis Villeneuve Movies Ranked from Worst to Best", *IndieWire* (October 2, 2017). Retrieved on March 24, 2020.
40. ↑ Kit, Borys (January 9, 2019). "Stellan Skarsgard to Play Villain in Legendary's 'Dune'". *The Hollywood Reporter*. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/stellan-skarsg-play-villain-legendarys-dune-1174870. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
41. ↑ Kroll, Justin (December 21, 2016). "*Blade Runner 2049* Helmer Denis Villeneuve Eyed to Direct *Dune* Reboot". *Variety*. https://variety.com/2016/film/news/denis-villeneuve-dune-reboot-legendary-pictures-1201929280/. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
42. ↑ "Timothée Chalamet In Talks To Star In *Dune* For Denis Villeneuve And Legendary", *Deadline Hollywood* (July 17, 2018). Retrieved on July 17, 2018.
43. ↑ Davids, Brian (January 25, 2019). "Rebecca Ferguson on Prepping for *Dune* and Her *Mission: Impossible* Future". https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/rebecca-ferguson-dune-her-mission-impossible-future-1179209. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
44. ↑ Kit, Borys; Couch, Aaron (January 29, 2019). "Oscar Isaac Joining Denis Villeneuve's *Dune*". https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/dune-movie-casts-oscar-isaac-1180655. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
45. ↑ Galuppo, Mia (January 30, 2019). "Zendaya Circling Denis Villeneuve's *Dune*". https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/dune-movie-zendaya-early-talks-star-1181245. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
46. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 2, 2019). "Warner Bros. Dates Baz Luhrmann *Elvis Presley* Movie, Shifts *Dune* & More". *Deadline Hollywood*. https://deadline.com/2019/08/dune-baz-luhrmann-elvis-presley-movie-release-dates-1202660346/. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
47. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (June 10, 2019). "'Dune: The Sisterhood' TV Series a Go at WarnerMedia". https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/dune-sisterhood-tv-series-a-go-at-warnermedia-1217286. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
48. ↑ McNary, Dave (May 26, 2016). "Jake Gyllenhaal, Denis Villeneuve to Reunite for Crime Drama 'The Son'". https://variety.com/2016/film/news/jake-gyllenhaal-denis-villeneuve-crime-movie-son-1201783411/. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
49. ↑ Buckley, Cara (November 10, 2016). "Denis Villeneuve of 'Arrival' Leans In to Strong Heroines".
50. ↑ Martin Villeneuve: The Dreammaker, The Cozy Sweater Café, August 23, 2016
51. ↑ "REW-FFWD" (Online film). *NFB.ca*. National Film Board of Canada. http://www.nfb.ca/film/REW\_FFWD\_en/. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
52. ↑ "Cosmos: Film collectif". *Films du Québec*.
53. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley. "'Dune: The Sisterhood' TV Series a Go at WarnerMedia". *The Hollywood Reporter*. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/dune-sisterhood-tv-series-a-go-at-warnermedia-1217286. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
54. ↑ "Denis Villeneuve". *Rotten Tomatoes*. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/denis-villeneuve/. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
55. ↑ "Denis Villeneuve". Metacritic. http://www.metacritic.com/person/denis-villeneuve. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
56. ↑ "Critics Choice". *Broadcast Film Critics Association*. http://criticschoice.com/. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
57. ↑ "CinemaScore". *cinemascore.com*. http://www.cinemascore.com/. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
58. ↑ "Denis Villeneuve". *Boxofficemojo.com*. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/people/chart/?id=denisvilleneuve.htm. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
59. ↑ "Denis Villeneuve". *The Numbers*. https://www.the-numbers.com/person/232430401-Denis-Villeneuve#tab=technical. Retrieved January 2, 2018.

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