Atom EGOYAN

Director

Country: CANADA

Biography

"Cinema is an act of immersion. Emotional, sensual, intellectual, cinema immerses the viewer in an experience which is exciting, provocative, and rare. Form and vision are bound with absolute conviction." Egypt-born of Armenian descent, Atom Egoyan grew up in a family of painters in Canada. He began shooting short films at the University of Toronto and became known with Next of Kin (1984). Family Viewing (1987) and The Adjuster (1991) were presented at international festivals and attracted the interest of critics. Following Exotica (1994), Prix Fipresci, his work was consecrated at the Festival de Cannes when he won the Grand Prix for The Sweet Hereafter (1997). Felicia’s Journey (1999), Where the Truth Lies (2005) and Adoration (2008) were all selected to appear in Competition. His work has also earned him two Academy Award® nominations and eight Canadian prizes. Moreover, Atom Egoyan has created art installations that have been presented at the Venice Biennale or Artangel in London. His interest in music has also seen him staging opera: his Walkyrie by Wagner, for the Canadian Opera Company, won a prize in 2006. For theatre too, his Eh Joe by Beckett, which was presented in Dublin and then in London’s West End, won an Award for Best Direction.

Films presented in Cannes

2008 - ADORATION - In Competition Director, Screenplay
2007 - CHACUN SON CINÉMA (TO EACH HIS OWN CINEMA) - Out of Competition Director
2005 - WHERE THE TRUTH LIES - In Competition Director, Screenplay
2002 - ARARAT - Out of Competition Director, Screenplay
1999 - FELICIA'S JOURNEY - In Competition Director, Screenplay
1997 - THE SWEET HEREAFTER - In Competition Director, Screenplay
1994 - EXOTICA - In Competition Director, Screenplay
1991 - THE ADJUSTER - Section parallèle Director
1989 - SPEAKING PARTS - Section parallèle Director

Awards

1997 - Grand Prix - THE SWEET HEREAFTER - Long métrage
1997 - International Critic's Prize by the F.I.P.R.E.S.C.I. - THE SWEET HEREAFTER - Long métrage
1994 - International Critic's Prize by the F.I.P.R.E.S.C.I. - EXOTICA - Long métrage

Member of the Jury

2010 - Cinéfondation & Short films - President
1996 - Sélection officielle - Member