Mat Whitecross

Mat Whitecross
Born (1977-09-21) 21 September 1977
Oxford, England
Occupations
  • Director
  • editor
  • screenwriter
Years active1999–present

Mat Whitecross (born 21 September 1977)[1] is an English film director, editor, and screenwriter. He began his career working for Michael Winterbottom, a director, and producer Andrew Eaton at Revolution Films. Whitecross is known for directing The Road to Guantánamo;[2]an Ian Dury biopic, Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll;[3] as well as music documentaries Oasis: Supersonic and Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams.[4] Whitecross has directed music videos for Coldplay,[5]Take That[6] and the Rolling Stones,[7] being a long-time collaborator of Coldplay's.

Career

Whitecross was born in Oxford, England and grew up there. His parents were political refugees who were imprisoned in Argentina during the country's Dirty War. He takes inspiration from the place where he grew up and from his parents' friends, many of whom are South American immigrants who fled tortures and prison.[8] He began his career working for filmmaker Michael Winterbottom and Andrew Eaton at Revolution Films as a runner on the film 24 Hour Party People. Within a few months of starting at Revolution Films, they gave him the chance of shooting and editing for them. His directorial debut The Road to Guantanamo began as a conversation with Winterbottom about the Tipton Three whilst on the shoot for the film 9 Songs. They both agreed that the story was fascinating and worth of a film but due to other commitments, Winterbottom was unable to begin research and preparation, suggesting that Whitecross should start the process. Whitecross and Winterbottom then co-directed and co-wrote the film which features Riz Ahmed in his debut acting role.[9]The Road to Guantánamo won the Silver Bear for Best Director at the 56th Berlin International Film Festival in Berlin, Germany and the Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary Feature.[10][11][12]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Director Writer Editor Ref.
2004 9 SongsNo No Yes [13]
2006 The Road to Guantánamo(co-directed and co-written with Michael Winterbottom)Yes Yes Yes [2]
Scott Walker: 30 Century ManNo No Yes [14]
2009 Moving to MarsYes Yes No [15]
The Shock Doctrine(co-directed with Michael Winterbottom)Yes No Yes [16]
2010 Sex & Drugs & Rock & RollYes No No [3]
2012 AshesYes No No [17]
Spike IslandYes No No [18]
2016 Oasis: SupersonicYes No No [4]
2018 Coldplay: A Head Full of DreamsYes No No
Live in São PauloYes No No
2022 The Sound of 007Yes No No [19][20]
2026 ÍdolosYes No No [21]

Television

Year Title Notes Ref.
2007 Nearly FamousEpisode 1.3 – Episode 1.4 [22]
2008 Spooks: Code 9Episode 1.3 – Episode 1.4 [23]
2014 Fleming: The Man Who Would Be BondEpisode 1.1 – Episode 1.4 [24]
2017 Red Nose Day ActuallyCo-directed by Richard Curtis[25]
2018 Vic and Bob's Big Night Out[26]

Music video

Year Artist Title Ref.
1999 Coldplay"Bigger Stronger" [5]
2008 "Violet Hill" (Dancing Politicians version)[27]
"Lovers in Japan" [28]
"Lost!" [29]
2010 Take That"The Flood" [6]
Coldplay "Christmas Lights" [30]
2011 Take That "Kidz" (co-directed with Eran Creevy)[31]
Coldplay "Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall" [32]
"Paradise" [33]
The Rolling Stones"No Spare Parts" [7]
2012 Coldplay "Charlie Brown" [34]
2014 "A Sky Full of Stars" [35]
2015 "Adventure of a Lifetime" [36]
2017 Take That "Giants" [37]
Coldplay "Something Just Like This" (with The Chainsmokers / Tokyo Remix)[38]
2019 "Orphans" [39]
2022 Pink Floyd"Hey, Hey, Rise Up!" [40]
Coldplay "Biutyful" [41]

Awards and nominations

List of awards and nominations, showing ceremony, year, recipient, category and result
Award Year[a]Nominee / Work Category Result Ref.
British Academy Television Awards2007The Road to GuantánamoBest Single Drama Nominated [42]
Berlin International Film Festival2006 Golden Bear for Best Motion PictureNominated [43]
Silver Bear for Best DirectorWon [44]
British Independent Film AwardsBest DocumentaryWon [45]
Best Achievement in Production Nominated
2016Oasis: SupersonicBest Technical AchievementNominated [46]
Chicago International Film Festival2010 Moving to MarsDocufest Competition (Gold Award)Won [47]
Empire Awards2017Oasis: SupersonicBest Documentary Won [48]
European Film Awards2006The Road to GuantánamoBest FilmNominated [49]
Best DirectorNominated [50]
Independent Spirit Awards2007Best Documentary Feature FilmWon [51]
Grierson Awards2010 Moving to MarsBest Documentary on a Contemporary Issue Won [52]
MTV Europe Music Awards2020"Orphans"Best RockWon [53]
MTV Video Music Awards2012"Paradise"Best Rock VideoWon [54]
2016"Adventure of a Lifetime"Nominated [55]
2020"Orphans"Won [56]
MTV Video Play Awards2011 "Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall"Platinum Award Won [57]
2012 "Paradise"Won [58]
"Charlie Brown"Won
MTV Video Music Awards Japan"Paradise"Best Group VideoNominated [59]
MuchMusic Video AwardsBest International Video – GroupNominated [60]
2016"Adventure of a Lifetime"Nominated [61]
NME Awards2017 Oasis: SupersonicBest Music Film Won [62]
Satellite Awards2015Fleming: The Man Who Would Be BondBest MiniseriesNominated [63]
UK Music Video Awards2019Live in São PauloBest Live Concert Nominated [64]

Notes

  1. ^Indicates the year of ceremony. Each year is linked to the article about the awards held that year whenever possible.

References

  1. ^"Мат Уайткросс, Режиссер: фото, биография, фильмография, новости - Вокруг ТВ". Вокруг ТВ.
  2. ^ abThe Road to Guantanamo (2006) - IMDb, retrieved 31 January 2021
  3. ^ abJaafar, Ali (21 April 2009). "U.K. talent drawn to 'Sex & Drugs'". Variety. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  4. ^ ab"Interview: Mat Whitecross on #AHFODfilm". Coldplay. 10 November 2018. Archived from the original on 12 June 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  5. ^ ab"Dear Oracle, I was on Youtube, watching Coldplay stuff of course, and I came across a video entitled Bigger Stronger". Coldplay. 29 May 2009. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  6. ^ ab[1]Archived 15 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ abVideo for No Spare Parts on YouTube
  8. ^"Mat Whitecross". HUNGER TV.
  9. ^"indieWIRE INTERVIEW: Mat Whitecross, Co-Director of "The Road to Guantanamo"". IndieWire. 22 June 2006.
  10. ^"Mat Whitecross". Mountainfilm. 11 May 2011.
  11. ^"Bio to Mat Whitecross". www.pulsefilms.com.
  12. ^"Independent Spirit Award winners". Variety. 24 February 2007.
  13. ^"KVIFF | 9 Songs". www.kviff.com. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  14. ^"KVIFF | Scott Walker: 30 Century Man - About the Film". www.kviff.com. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  15. ^"Moving to Mars - The Filmmakers". Archived from the original on 1 July 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  16. ^"Mat Whitecross". MUBI (in Portuguese). Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  17. ^"Ashes stars understand dementia now". belfasttelegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  18. ^"Spike Island (2012)". IMDb. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  19. ^https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16433236/
  20. ^https://www.007.com/documenting-the-sound-of-007/
  21. ^https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27590933/
  22. ^"Nearly Famous - Films Manager". filmsmanager.com. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  23. ^"BBC - Press Office - Spooks: Code 9 press pack: cast and creative team". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  24. ^"Fleming: The Man Who Would Be Bond Interview: Mat Whitecross and Douglas Rae". Collider. 29 January 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  25. ^Red Nose Day Actually (TV) (S) (2017), retrieved 14 February 2021
  26. ^"News: First Look at New Vic & Bob Show Pictures". Beyond The Joke. 5 December 2017. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  27. ^"George Bush Gets On His Dancing Shows For New Coldplay Video". NME. 20 May 2008. Archived from the original on 17 March 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  28. ^"Lovers In Japan Video Premiere Tomorrow". Coldplay. 30 October 2008. Archived from the original on 13 February 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  29. ^"Coldplay Announce New EP". NME. 30 September 2008. Archived from the original on 1 October 2008. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  30. ^"Interview with Mat Whitecross (Christmas Lights Video Director) – Pt.1". Coldplay. 11 December 2010. Archived from the original on 12 March 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  31. ^"Take That 'Kidz' by Mat Whitecross and Eran Creevy". Promonews. Archived from the original on 18 April 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  32. ^"Coldplay Gets Colorful In Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall Video". Billboard. 29 June 2011. Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  33. ^"Interview: Director Mat Whitecross on the Paradise Video". Coldplay. 10 November 2011. Archived from the original on 28 December 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  34. ^"Antonia Thomas And Elliott Tittensor Star In Coldplay's Charlie Brown". Curtis Brown. 8 February 2012. Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  35. ^"Watch Coldplay – A Sky Full of Stars Video One-Man Band". Under The Radar. 19 June 2014. Archived from the original on 15 June 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  36. ^"Adventure of a Lifetime – Behind the Scenes on the Set of Coldplay's New Video". The Guardian. 27 November 2015. Archived from the original on 17 June 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  37. ^"Take That 'Giants' by Mat Whitecross". Promonews. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
  38. ^"Mat Whitecross Prepares His Coldplay Documentary For Release". Noise 11. 15 October 2018. Archived from the original on 17 June 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  39. ^"See Coldplay's Joyous New Video For Orphans". Rolling Stone. 25 October 2019. Archived from the original on 17 June 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  40. ^"Hey Hey Rise Up". Instagram. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  41. ^"Coldplay Features Puppet Band The Weirdos In New Biutyful Video". Rolling Stone. 6 July 2022. Archived from the original on 7 July 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  42. ^"2007 Television Single Drama". BAFTA Awards. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  43. ^"Programme 2006: Competition". Berlinale. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  44. ^"Prizes & Honours 2006". Berlinale. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  45. ^"Winners & Nominations - BIFA 2006". Bifa · British Independent Film Awards. 24 October 2006. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  46. ^"Winners & Nominations - BIFA 2016". British Independent Film Awards. 24 October 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  47. ^"Chicago International Film Festival 2010: Award Winners". FilmBook. 21 October 2010. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  48. ^"Three Empire Awards 2017: Rogue One, Tom Hiddleston And Patrick Stewart Win Big". Empire. 19 March 2017. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  49. ^"Archive 2006". European Film Awards. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  50. ^"The nominees for the 2006 European Film Awards are..."Cineuropa. 6 November 2006. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  51. ^"The 2007 Independent Spirit Awards". IndieWire. 25 February 2007. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  52. ^"Winners 2010". The Grierson Trust. Archived from the original on 6 November 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  53. ^"All the Big Winners at the 2020 MTV EMA | News | MTV EMA". MTV EMAs. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  54. ^"2012 MTV Video Music Awards | Highlights, Winners, Performers and Photos from the 2012 MTV VMAs". MTV News. 11 May 2016. Archived from the original on 11 May 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  55. ^"VMAs 2016: See the Full List of Winners". Billboard. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  56. ^"Coldplay Win Best Rock Music Video at 2020 VMAs". Loudwire. 31 August 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  57. ^"Résultats des MTV Video Play Awards 2011" [Results of MTV Video Play Awards 2011]. Le Quotidien du Peuple en Ligne (in French). Archived from the original on 24 March 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  58. ^"MTV honours most-played music videos of 2012". Music Week. 6 July 2015. Archived from the original on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  59. ^"VMAJ 2012 Nominees Announced!". MTV Asia. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  60. ^"2012 Muchmusic Video Award Nominees Released". Flare. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  61. ^"Drake & Alessia Cara Top The Nominees For The 2016 MuchMusic Video Awards". Forbes. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  62. ^"NME Awards 2017 – Full Winners List". NME. 15 February 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  63. ^"2014 | Categories". International Press Academy. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  64. ^"UK Music Video Awards 2019: All The Nominations!". PromoNews TV. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
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