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Last updated on the 26 March 2024 by Evandrus
Mini Biography
Joanna Hogg is a director and screenwriter, known for her distinctive style of realism and minimalism. She has directed six feature films, including The Souvenir, which won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.
Joanna Hogg was born to John Goldsborough Hogg and Sarah Edith Noel-Buxton. She developed an interest in photography and filmmaking at a young age and borrowed a camera from Derek Jarman, who became her mentor. Joanna Hogg studied direction at the National Film and Television School, where she made her graduation film Caprice, starring Tilda Swinton in 1986.
After graduating, Hogg directed several music videos and television episodes, including EastEnders: Dot’s Story (2003). However, she felt dissatisfied with the constraints of television and decided to pursue her own vision in cinema. She made her feature film debut with Unrelated (2007), a drama about a middle-aged woman who joins a friend’s family on holiday in Italy and becomes attracted to a teenager. The film won the FIPRESCI International Critics Award at the London Film Festival and the Guardian First Film Award.
Joanna Hogg followed up with Archipelago (2010), a film about a family vacation on the island of Tresco, and Exhibition (2013), a film about a couple of artists who decide to sell their London home. Both films featured Tom Hiddleston, who had also appeared in Unrelated, and were praised for their naturalistic dialogue, long takes and sparse soundtrack.
Joanna Hogg’s most acclaimed film to date is The Souvenir (2019), a semi-autobiographical film about a young film student who falls in love with a charismatic but troubled older man in the 1980s. The film starred Honor Swinton Byrne, the daughter of Tilda Swinton, who also played her mother in the film. The film received rave reviews and numerous awards, including the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance and the Best British/Irish Film of the Year at the London Film Critics’ Circle Awards. Hogg also directed a sequel, The Souvenir Part II (2021), which premiered at Cannes Film Festival.
Joanna Hogg is married to Nick Laird, a poet and novelist. They live in London and have two children. Hogg is also a fan of radio and has cited Chantal Akerman as one of her influences.
Suggested viewing
The Souvenir (2019)
Bftv 8.0 / IMDb 6.4 A young aspiring filmmaker becomes captivated by a charming but enigmatic older man, embarking on an intense yet troubled relationship. As she becomes increasingly drawn into his world, her studies and social life suffer, and the lines between love, dependence, and manipulation begin to blur. She grapples with her own desires and vulnerabilities while struggling to understand the complexities of the situation, ultimately forced to confront the consequences of her choices. Top cast: Honor Swinton Byrne, Tom Burke, Tilda Swinton, Richard Ayoade, Ariane Labed, Jaygann Ayeh, Jack McMullen, Chyna Terrelonge Vaughan, Tosin Cole. |
The Souvenir: Part II (2021)
Bftv 8.0 / IMDb 7.2 Picking up after the tragic death of her complicated lover, a young filmmaker grapples with grief and the complexities of her past relationship. She seeks solace in her art, turning her experiences into a graduation film that explores themes of memory, loss, and the elusiveness of truth. As she navigates the challenges of filmmaking and confronts the skepticism of others, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery, ultimately finding a path towards healing and a deeper understanding of herself and her lost love. Top cast: Honor Swinton Byrne, Richard Ayoade, Tilda Swinton, Charlie Heaton, Joe Alwyn, Harris Dickinson, Ariane LabedJack McMullen, Amber Anderson. |
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Bftv 8.0 / IMDb 6.7 Seeking refuge from a troubled marriage, a woman joins a friend’s family vacation in Tuscany. While basking in the sun-drenched scenery, she grapples with feelings of isolation and discontent. As she interacts with the family, particularly the teenage son, she confronts the complexities of desire and the limitations of her current life. The experience forces her to confront her own longings and challenges her assumptions about relationships and personal fulfillment. Top cast: Kathryn Worth, Harry Kershaw, Emma Hiddleston, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Tom Hiddleston, Mary Roscoe, Michael Hadley, David Rintoul, Leonetta Mazzini. |
The Eternal Daughter (2022)
Bftv 8.0 / IMDb 6.0 A middle-aged artist and her aging mother return to their former family home, now a mysterious hotel, hoping to reconnect and reminisce. Their stay is disrupted by a strange atmosphere and unsettling encounters, prompting them to confront unresolved tensions and long-buried secrets from their past. As the lines between reality and memory blur, they delve deeper into the building’s unsettling history, leading them to a profound exploration of family dynamics, the weight of the past, and the complexities of aging. Top cast: Tilda Swinton, Joseph Mydell, Carly-Sophia Davies, August Joshi, Crispin Buxton. |
Full filmography (@Wikipedia)
Joanna Hogg Gallery
