Charlotte Wells

Last updated
Charlotte Wells
Born
Charlotte Anna Wells

(1987-06-13) 13 June 1987 (age 36)
Morningside, Edinburgh, Scotland
Alma mater
Occupations
  • Film director
  • film producer
  • screenwriter
Years active2014–present
Website charlotte-wells.com

Charlotte Wells (born 13 June 1987) is a Scottish director, writer, and producer. She is known for her feature film debut Aftersun (2022), [1] which premiered in 2022 during Critics' Week at Cannes Film Festival, receiving 121 nominations and 33 awards, including Gotham and British Independent Film Awards. [2] Wells has worked on numerous other films, such as Blue Christmas (2017), and her films have been screened at festivals all around the globe.

Contents

Early life and education

Wells was born in Edinburgh. She attended secondary school at the independent George Heriot's School. [3] Wells did not live with her father, who passed away when she was sixteen years old. [4] However, she remembers him as a very involved parent, despite the living situation. The father-daughter dynamic was a frequent topic of conversation after her first feature-film debut Aftersun , a film about a father and daughter.

Wells was interested in film from a young age, but did not initially pursue it. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Classics from King's College London and then a Master of Arts from Oxford University. She went into finance and rediscovered film through helping Callum Just, a school friend, run Digital Orchard, a post-production and DIT agency. [5] She used this experience to apply to New York University's joint business and film graduate program with the intention of becoming a producer. She completed a dual Master of Fine Arts and Master of Business Administration at Tisch School of the Arts and the Stern School.

While at NYU, Wells created three short films: Tuesday (2015), about a sixteen-year-old learning to cope with a big loss, featuring Megan McGill, which earned Wells the Best Writer Nominee at BAFTA Scotland New Talent Awards 2016; [6] Laps (2016), about a normal weekday, until the main character is sexually assaulted on the New York subway, featuring Thea Brooks, which earned Wells Special Jury Recognition at the SXSW Short Film Awards and Special Jury Award for Editing at Sundance 2017; [7] and Blue Christmas (2017), about a debt collector who goes to work instead of seeing his wife on Christmas Eve to avoid her worsening psychosis, featuring Jamie Robson and Michelle Duncan. [8]

Career

Before starting her career in the film industry as a producer, Wells helped run Digital Orchard, a company specialising in film, finishing images, developing film and digital imaging. Wells was a fellow at the 2020 Sundance Institute Screenwriters and Directors Labs with her feature film debut Aftersun , which premiered at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival to critical acclaim. The film is a drama starring Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio. She received many accolades as a breakthrough director and appeared on numerous year-end lists. Aftersun received an Academy Award nomination for Paul Mescal's performance.

Aftersun

Aftersun is a coming-of-age drama which tells the story of a young woman, Sophie, recalling a holiday she took with her father, Calum (Paul Mescal), 20 years prior, for Calum's 31st birthday. The 11-year-old Sophie (Frankie Corio) does not spend a lot of time with her father, who does not live with her and her mother anymore. The time they spend on this holiday is very precious to them. Calum takes Sophie on a trip to a Turkish budget resort, where Calum struggles with feelings of depression. The adult Sophie is trying to remember her father by looking back on this holiday, and piece together the memories she has with the help of the videos she and her father took on vacation.

The film is shot on 35mm film and partly by the actors themselves on a MiniDV camera. [9] This camera records many of the experiences Sophie had on that holiday, from playing with friends at the resort to spending time with her father. The 35mm footage is spread throughout the film, showing the audience more intimate parts of the father-daughter dynamic from Sophie's perspective. The film shows a vulnerable side of this dynamic, with Calum's battle with depression as a dark side, as well as the struggle of living apart from your father. Adult Sophie is, as she was when she was young, slowly figuring out who her father was as a person, rather than a father.

This sparked a lot of conversation regarding Charlotte Wells' personal life. Well's father died when she was sixteen, and she lived apart from her father. However, she did not feel as though he was not involved enough. [4] The father-daughter dynamic was not something that Wells was trying to uncover in her film, but something that rather came to be during the making. The first goal was to show how any relationship can shift over time. [4] Aftersun received 121 nominations, including a nomination for best actor at the 2023 Academy Awards for Paul Mescal's performance. [10] The film was named the Best Directorial Debut of 2022 by the National Board of Review. [11]

Filmography

YearTitleCredited asNotesRef(s)
DirectorProducerWriter
2014F to 7thNoYesNoTV series (8 episodes) [12]
2015TuesdayYesNoYesShort [13] [14]
2015In a Room BelowNoYesNoShort [15]
2016Red FolderNoYesNoShort [16]
2016BriefcaseNoYesNoShort [17]
2016AliceNoYesNoShort [18]
2017LapsYesNoYesShort [19] [14]
2017Blue ChristmasYesNoYesShort [20] [14]
2017EtéNoYesNoShort [21]
2019RafNoYesNoFeature [22]
2022 Aftersun YesNoYesFeature [23]

Accolades

YearAssociationCategoryFilmResultRef.
2022 BIFA Award Best Director Aftersun Won [24]
2022 Gotham Independent Film Awards Bingham Ray Breakthrough Director Award Won [2]
2022 New York Film Critics Circle Best First Film Won [25]
2022 National Society of Film Critics Best Director Won
2023 Directors Guild of America Outstanding Directing – First-Time Feature Film Won [26]
2023 BAFTA Awards Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer Won

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sophie Okonedo</span> English actress (born 1968)

Sophie Okonedo is an English actress and narrator. The recipient of a Tony Award, she has been nominated for an Academy Award, three BAFTA TV Awards, an Emmy Award, and a Golden Globe Award.

Margaret Caroline Tait was a Scottish medical doctor, filmmaker and poet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BIFA Award for Best British Independent Film</span>

The British Independent Film Award for Best British Independent Film is an annual award given by the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) to recognize the best British independent film. The award was first presented in the 1998 ceremony with Ken Loach's romantic drama My Name Is Joe being the first recipient of the award. The current winner is Charlotte Wells' debut drama film Aftersun.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anjana Vasan</span> Singaporean actress and singer-songwriter (born 1987)

Anjana Vasan is a Singaporean actress and singer-songwriter based in London of Tamil origin. She is known for her stage work, winning a Laurence Olivier Award, and her role in the Channel 4 sitcom We Are Lady Parts, for which she was nominated a British Academy Television Award. She starred in the Black Mirror episode "Demon 79" in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Mescal</span> Irish actor (born 1996)

Paul Colm Michael Mescal is an Irish actor. Born in Maynooth, he studied acting at The Lir Academy and subsequently performed in plays in Dublin theatres. Mescal rose to fame with his role in the miniseries Normal People (2020), earning a BAFTA TV Award and a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award.

<i>The Lost Daughter</i> (film) 2021 film by Maggie Gyllenhaal

The Lost Daughter is a 2021 psychological drama film written and directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, based on the 2006 novel of the same name by Elena Ferrante. The film stars Olivia Colman, Dakota Johnson, Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Dagmara Domińczyk, Jack Farthing, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Peter Sarsgaard, and Ed Harris. Colman also served as an executive producer.

<i>Emily</i> (2022 film) British film directed by Frances OConnor

Emily is a 2022 British biographical drama film written and directed by Frances O'Connor in her directorial debut. It is a part-fictional portrait of English writer Emily Brontë, concentrating on a fictional romantic relationship with the young curate William Weightman. Fionn Whitehead, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Alexandra Dowling, Amelia Gething, Adrian Dunbar and Gemma Jones also appear in supporting roles.

<i>All of Us Strangers</i> 2023 film by Andrew Haigh

All of Us Strangers is a 2023 British romantic fantasy film written and directed by Andrew Haigh, and based on the 1987 novel Strangers by Taichi Yamada. It is the second feature adaptation of the novel, after the Japanese film The Discarnates (1988). It stars Andrew Scott, Paul Mescal, Jamie Bell, and Claire Foy.

<i>Good Luck to You, Leo Grande</i> 2022 film by Sophie Hyde

Good Luck to You, Leo Grande is a 2022 sex comedy-drama film directed by Sophie Hyde and written by Katy Brand. The film stars Emma Thompson and Daryl McCormack. The story revolves around a woman who seeks a young sex worker to help her experience pleasurable sex.

<i>Gods Creatures</i> (film) 2022 film by Saela Davis and Anna Rose Holmer

God's Creatures is a 2022 psychological drama film directed by Saela Davis and Anna Rose Holmer with the screenplay written by Shane Crowley, based on a story he wrote with producer Fodhla Cronin O'Reilly. It stars Emily Watson, Paul Mescal, Aisling Franciosi, Declan Conlon, Toni O'Rourke, Marion O'Dwyer, Brendan McCormack, and Lalor Roddy. The film premiered at Directors' Fortnight of the Cannes Film Festival on 19 May 2022.

Rebecca Frecknall is a British theatre director best known for directing the 2021 West End revival of Cabaret starring Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley. The show received the 2022 Olivier Award for Best Revival of a Musical, and Frecknall was named Best Director, taking home both the Olivier Award and Critics' Circle Award. She is also associate director at the Almeida Theatre where she directed Summer & Smoke, Three Sisters,The Duchess of Malfi, A Streetcar Named Desire and Romeo and Juliet. Her direction of Summer & Smoke first brought her critical acclaim and showcased her ability to re-invent old works in new ways. The production won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Revival of a Play in 2019, with Frecknall also nominated for the Sir Peter Hall Award for Best Director. In 2023 she was listed by The Stage as the 13th most influential person in the theatre.

<i>Aftersun</i> 2022 film by Charlotte Wells

Aftersun is a 2022 coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Charlotte Wells in her feature directorial debut. Starring Paul Mescal, Frankie Corio, and Celia Rowlson-Hall, the film follows an 11-year-old Scottish girl on holiday with her father at a Turkish resort on the eve of his 31st birthday.

Francesca Corio is a Scottish child actress. She is known for her debut role in the film Aftersun (2022), for which she received a number of accolades, including Critics Choice and British Independent Film Award nominations.

The British Independent Film Awards 2022 were held on 4 December 2022 to recognise the best in British independent cinema and filmmaking talent from United Kingdom. The nominations were announced on 4 November 2022 by actors Sam Claflin and Kosar Ali during an event in London. Aftersun led the nominations with 16, followed by Blue Jean with 13 and The Wonder with 12. The ceremony took place at Old Billingsgate in London and was hosted by Ben Bailey Smith.

The 57th National Society of Film Critics Awards, given on 7 January 2023, honored the best in film for 2022.

The 26th Toronto Film Critics Association Awards, honouring the best films released in 2022, were announced on January 8, 2023.

Safia Grace Oakley-Green is an English actress. She won a British Independent Film Award for her performance in the horror film Out of Darkness (2022). She was named a 2023 Screen International Star of Tomorrow.

Lola Campbell is a British child actress. She made her screen debut in the 2023 British comedy-drama film Scrapper, filmed when she was twelve years-old. For the role she was nominated for breakthrough performance awards at the British Independent Film Awards and by the London Film Critics Circle.

References

  1. ↑ Wise, Damon (November 3, 2022). "Charlotte Wells On The Surprise Success Of Her Festival Hit 'Aftersun': 'I'm a Little in Awe'". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  2. 1 2 Kay, Jeremy (28 November 2022). "'Everything Everywhere All At Once', 'Aftersun' director Charlotte Wells among 2022 Gothams winners". Screen Daily . Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  3. ↑ "Twitter account of the English Department of George Heriot's School, Edinburgh". 1 December 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 Li, Shirley (2022-10-29). "When a Father Is Just Out of Reach". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
  5. ↑ Abraham, Raphael (11 November 2022). "Director Charlotte Wells on her debut Aftersun — the most lauded British film of the year". Financial Times. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  6. ↑ "Winners Announced: BAFTA Scotland New Talent Awards 2016". British Academy of Film and Television Arts. April 14, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  7. ↑ "SXSW 2019 Film Award Winners". South by Southwest. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  8. ↑ Macaulay, Scott (2022). "25 New Faces of Independent Film: Charlotte Wells". Filmmaker . Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  9. ↑ "DP Gregory Oke captured the color of memory on 35mm for Charlotte…". Kodak. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
  10. ↑ "Oscar nominations 2023: The full list". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  11. ↑ nbr_admin (2022-12-08). "NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW ANNOUNCES 2022 AWARD WINNERS". National Board of Review. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
  12. ↑ F to 7th (TV Series 2013– ) - IMDb , retrieved 2023-12-04
  13. ↑ Wells, Charlotte, Tuesday (Short, Drama), Megan McGill, Anita Vettesse, David Leith, retrieved 2023-12-04
  14. 1 2 3 "Charlotte Wells" . Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  15. ↑ In a Room Below (2015) - IMDb , retrieved 2023-12-04
  16. ↑ Red Folder (2016) - IMDb , retrieved 2023-12-04
  17. ↑ Briefcase (2016) - IMDb , retrieved 2023-12-04
  18. ↑ Alice (2016) - IMDb , retrieved 2023-12-04
  19. ↑ Wells, Charlotte (2017-01-21), Laps (Short, Drama), Thea Brooks, Sydney Buchan, Germain Gulick, retrieved 2023-12-04
  20. ↑ Wells, Charlotte (2018-01-20), Blue Christmas (Short, Drama), Jamie Robson, Michelle Duncan, Lewis McGowan, retrieved 2023-12-04
  21. ↑ Été (2017) - IMDb , retrieved 2023-12-04
  22. ↑ Raf (2019) - IMDb , retrieved 2023-12-04
  23. ↑ Wells, Charlotte (2022-11-18), Aftersun (Drama), Paul Mescal, Frankie Corio, Celia Rowlson-Hall, BBC Film, British Film Institute (BFI), Screen Scotland, retrieved 2023-12-04
  24. ↑ Ntim, Zac (4 December 2022). "Best Director". British Independent Film Awards . Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  25. ↑ Davis, Clayton (2 December 2022). "New York Film Critics Circle Announcing 2022 Winners". Variety . Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  26. ↑ Tapp, Tom (February 18, 2023). "DGA Awards: Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert Win for Everything Everywhere All At Once – Complete Winners List". Deadline. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.