F. Javier Gutiérrez | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Gutiérrez in 2023 | |
| Born | (1973-07-05)July 5, 1973 (age 52) Córdoba, Spain |
| Years active | 1996–present |
Francisco Javier Gutiérrez Díaz is a Spanish film director, producer and writer. Two-TimeEuropean Golden Melies nominee, he is well known for his works like the short filmsBrazil andNorman's Room, and his feature film debutBefore the Fall.
Gutiérrez was born inCórdoba, Spain. While attending Law School, he also studied acting and produced his first short films. In 2001, he founded his own film production company. WithBrasil (Best Short Film inSitges International Film Festival and Nominated for theEuropean Golden Melies), he entered his first international festivals where he was quickly identified as a director with a distinct personal style.
In 2001, Gutiérrez created his own production company aiming to make films with an international reach. In 2002, he was invited byTVE program "Versión Española" to direct a piece for the seriesDiminutos del Calvario II. News of Gutiérrez'sLa habitacion de Norman (Norman's Room), a claustrophobic tribute toPsycho, was published byfilm industry magazines in theUnited States. In the same year, he won theUniversal Studios award and visitedLos Angeles for the first time. In 2007, Gutiérrez received an offer fromAntonio Banderas andAntonio Pérez to direct his first feature film,Before the Fall (2008) which entered the official section "Special Panorama" at theBerlin Film Festival.
Gutiérrez had been working on the reboot of the 90's cult movieThe Crow based onJames O'Barr's comic book and produced byRelativity Media andEdward R. Pressman. But in June 2014, Gutiérrez signed on to the direct the next installment ofThe Ring franchise, produced byWalter F. Parkes andLaurie MacDonald, forParamount Pictures, that made him unavailable to helmThe Crow. According toDeadline Hollywood, Gutierrez was set to stay on boardThe Crow as executive producer.[1]
Before the Fall (aka3 días) is Gutiérrez's first feature film. During its premiere at theBerlin Film Festival, the public booed and applauded equally. The controversy grew among the critics when Rebecca Davies fromThe Daily Telegraph praised the films as one of the best in the festival because
It proves that films about armageddic meteorites crashing into the Earth can be both intelligent and moving.Deep Impact it ain't.[2]
Whereas Jay Weissberg fromVariety attacked the film because of its violence, labeling it as unpleasant and inappropriate
College-age males may get a kick, but survival chances outside Spain are slim.[3]
However, before its Spanish premiere at theMalaga Film Festival, the film had already been sold for distribution in several countries, includingJapan, and two offers had been received for a remake inEnglish (including one fromWes Craven[4]).
In 2008,Before the Fall became a buzz in Europe. In Spain, the film won the main awards in the most prestigious Spanish film festival, the 2008 Malaga Film Festival (including Best Motion Picture and Best Screenplay), theMiradas Award (TVE) for the Best Motion Picture of the Year and several awards and nominations in the Actors Guild of Spain and the Spain Critics Awards. On the other hand, in Europe, the film was finalist for the2008 European Film Awards and won the main prizes in some of the most prestigious Science-Fiction and Fantasy Film Festivals including the Silver Méliès for the Best European Film inImagine (Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival), the Asteroide Award atTrieste Science+Fiction Festival (Italy), and the ScreamFest Crystal Skull Award for the Best Director in Los Angeles.
In 2009,Before the Fall was included in third place in the 2008 Hollywood International Watch List.[5]
Gutiérrez directed the sequelRings (2017), the third installment and direct sequel toThe Ring (2002), of the U.S.Ring franchise.[6][7] It was produced byWalter F. Parkes andLaurie MacDonald forParamount Pictures. The film was released in the United States on February 3, 2017, opened #2 in the domestic box office, and grossed $83 million worldwide against its $25 million budget.
Gutiérrez’s film The Wait in which he wrote and directed is scheduled for a VOD release on October 4, 2024.[8]
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer | Editor | Production Designer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | WC Columna de aseo | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| 1999 | El cuerpo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2002 | Brasil | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| La habitación de Norman | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Year | Title | Director | Writer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Before the Fall | Yes | Yes |
| 2017 | Rings | Yes | No |
| 2023 | The Wait (La espera) | Yes | Yes |
| TBA | Home School | Yes | No |
Co-producer
Video assistant
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