Daniel Barber (director)
Encyclopedia
Daniel Barber is a British director. Having begun his career as a highly successful director of commercials, he was nominated for an Academy Award in 2008 for his short film The Tonto Woman. In 2009 he directed Sir Michael Caine
in Harry Brown
.
. He studied graphic design at St Martins School of Art, where he graduated in 1988. He subsequently joined the TV department at Lambie-Naim & Co, where he designed and directed title sequences, including those for the BBC Nine O'Clock News. In 1991, he completed new identities for BBC1 and BBC2, for which he won a BAFTA and a D&AD award.
In 1993, he joined Rose Hackney Productions where he directed commercials full time. His work was showcased at the Cannes International Advertising Festival and in 1994, he was named as a Creative Face of the Future by Campaign magazine and as one of the UK's "Hotshot" commercial directors. By 1995, he became a partner and Rose Hackney became Rose Hackney Barber. He has won dozens of awards for his commercials both in Europe and The United States of America. In 2003, his work was also included in the top ten of Channel 4's 100 Greatest Commercials.
In 2006, Barber became a partner at London-based film production company Knucklehead, where he continues to Direct commercials. His most recent work includes commercials for Adidas, Audi, The BBC, Estee Lauder, Sony, BMW, Orange, O2, Hewlett Packard, SAP, DHL and the Royal Air Force
.
. It is about a cattle rustler who becomes involved in the life of a woman who has been held captive by Mojave Indians for the past 11 years and is now living in isolation. The film won Best Film at Palm Springs 2007, Best of Festival at LA Shorts 2008 and was nominated for an Oscar in 2008.
Following The Tonto Woman Barber directed his first full-length feature, Harry Brown
starring (Sir Michael Caine
) who plays a widowed ex-marine whose retirement is disrupted when a gang of vicious thugs take over his neighbourhood and murder his best friend. Described as a modern urban western, it reflects the stark realities of youth crime in the 21st century. It had its World Premiere as a Special Presentation at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival
and was received with standing ovations. The film was released theatrically on 11 November 2009 at the Odeon Leicester Square
. It was always going to divide opinion and create debate. Harry Brown proved to be incredibly popular with audiences and critics alike. Indeed it has proved to be almost prophetic in relation to recent countrywide rioting and civil unrest. It remains in the opinion of Sir Michael Caine one of his finest films.
Michael Caine
Sir Michael Caine, CBE is an English actor. He won Academy Awards for best supporting actor in both Hannah and Her Sisters and The Cider House Rules ....
in Harry Brown
Harry Brown (film)
Harry Brown is a 2009 British action drama film directed by Daniel Barber and starring Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, Jack O'Connell, and Liam Cunningham....
.
Early career
Barber was born in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. He studied graphic design at St Martins School of Art, where he graduated in 1988. He subsequently joined the TV department at Lambie-Naim & Co, where he designed and directed title sequences, including those for the BBC Nine O'Clock News. In 1991, he completed new identities for BBC1 and BBC2, for which he won a BAFTA and a D&AD award.
In 1993, he joined Rose Hackney Productions where he directed commercials full time. His work was showcased at the Cannes International Advertising Festival and in 1994, he was named as a Creative Face of the Future by Campaign magazine and as one of the UK's "Hotshot" commercial directors. By 1995, he became a partner and Rose Hackney became Rose Hackney Barber. He has won dozens of awards for his commercials both in Europe and The United States of America. In 2003, his work was also included in the top ten of Channel 4's 100 Greatest Commercials.
In 2006, Barber became a partner at London-based film production company Knucklehead, where he continues to Direct commercials. His most recent work includes commercials for Adidas, Audi, The BBC, Estee Lauder, Sony, BMW, Orange, O2, Hewlett Packard, SAP, DHL and the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
.
Films
Barber's first film was The Tonto Woman, a 35-minute western based on a short story by Elmore LeonardElmore Leonard
Elmore John Leonard Jr. , better known as Elmore Leonard, is an American novelist and screenwriter. His earliest published novels in the 1950s were westerns, but Leonard went on to specialize in crime fiction and suspense thrillers, many of which have been adapted into motion pictures.Among his...
. It is about a cattle rustler who becomes involved in the life of a woman who has been held captive by Mojave Indians for the past 11 years and is now living in isolation. The film won Best Film at Palm Springs 2007, Best of Festival at LA Shorts 2008 and was nominated for an Oscar in 2008.
Following The Tonto Woman Barber directed his first full-length feature, Harry Brown
Harry Brown (film)
Harry Brown is a 2009 British action drama film directed by Daniel Barber and starring Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, Jack O'Connell, and Liam Cunningham....
starring (Sir Michael Caine
Michael Caine
Sir Michael Caine, CBE is an English actor. He won Academy Awards for best supporting actor in both Hannah and Her Sisters and The Cider House Rules ....
) who plays a widowed ex-marine whose retirement is disrupted when a gang of vicious thugs take over his neighbourhood and murder his best friend. Described as a modern urban western, it reflects the stark realities of youth crime in the 21st century. It had its World Premiere as a Special Presentation at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival
Toronto International Film Festival
The Toronto International Film Festival is a publicly-attended film festival held each September in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In 2010, 339 films from 59 countries were screened at 32 screens in downtown Toronto venues...
and was received with standing ovations. The film was released theatrically on 11 November 2009 at the Odeon Leicester Square
Odeon Leicester Square
The Odeon Leicester Square is a cinema which occupies the centre of the eastern side of Leicester Square, London, dominating the square with its huge black polished granite facade and high tower displaying its name. Blue neon outlines the exterior of the building at night. It was built to be the...
. It was always going to divide opinion and create debate. Harry Brown proved to be incredibly popular with audiences and critics alike. Indeed it has proved to be almost prophetic in relation to recent countrywide rioting and civil unrest. It remains in the opinion of Sir Michael Caine one of his finest films.
Filmography
- The Tonto Woman (20072007 in filmThis is a list of major films released in 2007.-Top grossing films:Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top grossing films that were first released in the USA in 2007...
) - Harry BrownHarry Brown (film)Harry Brown is a 2009 British action drama film directed by Daniel Barber and starring Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, Jack O'Connell, and Liam Cunningham....
(20092009 in filmThe year 2009 saw the release of many films. Seven made the top 50 list of highest-grossing films, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that as of this year, their Best Picture category would consist of ten nominees, rather than five .- Highest-grossing films :Please note...
)