Watch Great Directors

Great Directors is a cinematic journey into the world of filmmaking as seen through the eyes of three celebrated directors - David Lynch, Catherine Breillat, and Bernardo Bertolucci. The documentary is a portrait of these great artists and their unique visions, exploring their lives, works, and creative processes. The film is directed by Angela Ismailos, a Greek-American filmmaker, who for the past five years had conducted a series of interviews with filmmakers from around the globe. The result is this fascinating documentary that offers a glimpse into the minds of some of the most influential filmmakers of our time.

The first director to be interviewed in the film is David Lynch, whose films are known for their surreal, nightmarish quality. Lynch talks about his early influences, his fascination with dreams, and his approach to filmmaking. He discusses how music, sound, and image are used in his films to create a specific mood and atmosphere. Lynch also talks about the importance of being true to one's artistic vision, disregarding the expectations of the audience or the film industry.

The second director featured in the film is Catherine Breillat, a French filmmaker who is known for her provocative and controversial films. Breillat talks about the themes that she explores in her films - sexuality, power, and gender roles. She also shares her experiences of being a woman filmmaker in a male-dominated industry, and the struggles that she has faced in getting her films made.

The third and final director interviewed in the film is Bernardo Bertolucci, an Italian filmmaker who is regarded as one of the greatest directors of all time. Bertolucci talks about his early life in Italy and his fascination with cinema, which he calls his "religion". He discusses his films, including The Conformist and Last Tango in Paris, and how he uses visual and narrative elements to create a powerful and emotional impact on his audience.

Throughout the film, Ismailos weaves together the interviews with clips from the directors' films, providing a context for their discussions. The documentary also features interviews with other filmmakers who offer insights into the work of Lynch, Breillat, and Bertolucci. These include their collaborators, such as actors and cinematographers, as well as critics and scholars.

One of the themes that emerges from the film is the idea of the director as auteur - the notion that the director is the artist who shapes the film and imbues it with his or her personal vision. The documentary explores the creative process of these directors, from the initial inspiration to the final product, and how they navigate the complex terrain of the film industry.

Great Directors is a thought-provoking and insightful documentary that offers a unique perspective on the art of filmmaking. Through the interviews with Lynch, Breillat, and Bertolucci, Ismailos invites us to enter their world and to appreciate the beauty and complexity of their work. It is a must-see for anyone interested in cinema and the creative process.

Great Directors is a 2009 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 49.