The auteur theory first came to light in French criticAndre Bazin’s essay and was later theorized by the fathers of cinemaFrançois Truffautin 1954 andJean-Luc Godard. In simple terms, anauteur describes a director as the “author” of his or her workwho oversees all visual aspects of the motion picture. Auteurism is used to identify a director’s personal vision and filmmaking style that is easily recognizable to a mass audience and is still practiced in films today.
10’Out of Africa' (1985)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 62%
The lateSydney Pollack’sOut of Africais an epic, romantic drama loosely based on the autobiographical book of Danish author Karen Blixen. The legendaryMeryl Streepplays Baroness Blixen when she moves from Denmark to Kenya in 1913 to start a coffee plantation with her new husband. What follows is a journey of a woman’s self-exploration as she learns from a spirited hunter,Robert Redford, the true meaning of freedom.
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Pollack was best known for his captivating yet simplistic pictures,TootsieandThe Way We Were. His auteur style may not have been as brightly distinctive as Tarantino’s; however, Pollack was considered Hollywood’s quiet icon who had the talent to pushthe best performances out of leading actors. Winner of seven Oscars,Out of Africamesmerized audiences with breathtaking scenery, thought-provoking storyline, and use of real-life animals earning Pollack Best Director.
9’Happy Together' (1997)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 84%
Hong Kong’s most celebrated and internationally acclaimed auteurWong Kar Waiis often esteemed the master of sensual cinema. The controversial pictureHappy TogetherstarsLeslie CheungandTony Leung,who play a falling out-of-love homosexual couple on vacation in Argentina. According tothe New Queer Cinema, the film is considered one of the greatest modern LGBT+ films, praised for its authentic and creative depiction of same-sex relationships.
Wong’s trademark is most notable for his color theory, but his ability to transform the simplest human emotions through wordless, stunning visuals is his strongest nod to being a genius auteur. Loneliness, misery, exclusion. InHappy Together, these “attitudes” are depicted in every frame with mise-en-scène that reflects the inner struggles of the main characters. Despite its detouring title, the film beautifully illustrates Wong’s mastery of melodrama storytelling.
8’Okja' (2017)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%
In 2019,Parasiteput the worldwide spotlight on Oscar-winning directorBong Joon Ho. From the crime thrillerMemories of Murder(2003) to the monster filmThe Host, the dark humor director became a commercial success and later emerged into Hollywood with English language moviesSnowpiercerand the Netflix originalOkja.
Bong is distinguished for developing stories that explore concerning Korean social themes. InOkja, a young Korean girl, Mija, does everything she can to prevent a tyrant company from kidnapping her best friend, a genetically modified “super pig.” Bong Joon Ho’s flair for genre-mixing and sudden tone shifts is heavily painted in this action-adventure film, cunningly showcasing the director’s auteur aesthetic.
7’House of Flying Daggers' (2004)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87%
“Just call me Wind.” The multi-talented Chinese auteurZhang Yimoudirected the wuxia romantic, action filmHouse of Flying Daggers.Set in the Tang Dynasty, the film tells the story of a police officer who pretends to aid a blind prison in her escape to investigate her ties with a righteous rebel group opposing the government.
Respected as a key figure in China’s Fifth Generation of filmmakers, many of Yimou’s narratives focus on social criticism of the Chinese government and portrayals of oppression. The director’s style is famous for his symbolic emphasis on color inRaise the Red LanternandHero. Yimou’s experience as a cinematographer also shines through in the gorgeous display ofmartial art fights and slow-motion actioninHouse of Flying Daggers.
6’Amélie' (2001)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%
Amélieis a romantic comedy, arthouse film directed byJean-Pierre Jeunet. The story follows a timid, young waitress who decides to help others find their happiness in a whimsical depiction of Montmartre. The film was a commercial success and was nominated for five Academy Awards thanks to Jeunet’s innovative niche for dreamlike realism.
Jeunt is known for taking ordinary situations and twisting them with a fantasy element of relevance. Critics have come to cherish the auteur’s masterful talent in utilizing slapstick comedy, offbeat characters, and surrealistic visuals seen inAmélie. Jenut’s films are a poetic rhythm of love to thecinéma du lookfilm movement, recognizing him as one of thegreatest modern directors in French cinema.
5’Moonrise Kingdom' (2012)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
Unquestionably,Wes Andersonisone of the most popular auteurs of our time. WithAsteroid Citymarking the director’s eleventh feature film, it’s safe to say Anderson’s quirky narrative style is something no one can challenge to replicate.Moonrise Kingdomis the story of two preteen lovers who trigger a search party after they run away together on New Penzance Island.
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Anderson isn’t afraid to show off his visionary camera work. Every film features his signature “shoebox”/planimetric composition, symmetrical blocking, and compass point editing. The director tends to work with the same actors, such asBill Murray,Edward Norton, and his brotherEric Chase Anderson. Splashed with a nostalgic, muted color palette,Moonrise Kingdomis a whimsical, coming-of-age adventure that best captures Anderson’s eccentricity to tell a story within a story.
4’Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (2004)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%
The French directorMichel Gondryis mainly known for just being the guy who directedEternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Brilliantly co-written byCharlie Kaufman,Pierre Bismuth, and Gondry, the film follows two lovers (Jim CarreyandKate Winslet) who undergo a bizarre mental procedure to erase each other from their minds.
Gondry is commonly referred to as a “transcultural auteur” who uses his language barrier as a tool to play with his international audience’s brain. His dreamlike, experimental aesthetic is brightly seen inEternal Sunshinethrough his manipulation ofmise-en-scèneand discontinuity editing. Themind-bending, sci-fi pictureis a deeply complex story that demands viewers to dislodge their own brainpower to unmask Gondry’s hidden meanings.
3’She’s Gotta Have It' (1986)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
Director, screenwriter, producer, and now NYU professorSpike Leeis among cinema’s most iconic and controversial filmmakers. His mark in Hollywood helped bring awareness to the Black talent community, playing a crucial role inthe 1980s American independent film movement! The groundbreaking filmShe’s Gotta Have Itrevolves around Nola Darling, a woman from Brooklyn who causes a “love triangle” between three different men she’s sleeping with. It was Lee’s first feature debut that launched his career, allowing him to start his own production company, 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks.
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The renowned auteur is known for portraying the Black American experience, challenging racial stereotypes, and addressing controversial subjects. The plot ofShe’s Gotta Have Itis quite simple on paper, but there’s a beat and a jam to it that transforms the picture into a jazzy, arthouse rom-com. By redefining the cinematic experience, Lee has invented manyunique directing techniques, like his famous “double dolly” tracking shot in many of his pictures, such asMalcolm XandMo' Better Blues.
2’Her' (2013)
Spike Jonze,director ofWhere the Wild Things AreandBeing John Malkovich, is referred to as an indie-auteur of his own league. Jonze has an introspective eye on human emotions, writing stories that put protagonists in neurotic decision-making situations. StarringJoaquin PhoenixandScarlett Johansson,thesci-fi, romantic dramaHercenters on a lonesome writer who falls in love with a virtual assistant designed to meet his every desire.
Inspired by personal experiences, Jonze is a bold filmmaker that enjoys playing with the danger of emotions in uncharted settings.Herexpertly portrays his trademark of using lonely, misfit characters when Theodore internally struggles to realize his A.I. relationship has yet to relieve his solitude.
1’The Umbrellas of Cherbourg' (1964)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
“Guy, I love you. You smell of gasoline.” Musicals are an extremely rare sight to see on the big screen these days.The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, directed by French New Wave directorJacques Demy, remind us just how desperate theaters need to bring back these vibrant pictures. The sung-through musical revolves around two lovers torn apart by war and the life-changing decisions they must sacrifice for love.
The Criterion Collection states, “…Jacques Demy didn’t just make movies — he created an entire cinematic world.” Demy was known for his deeply emotional storytelling of doomed love, combining a blend of poetry, color, and music. The auteur was inspired by old Hollywood musicals to even Japanese manga and fairytales.The Umbrellas of CherbourgandThe Young Girls of Rochefortare the epitome of Demy’s lyrical brilliance, earning him high praise from Godard himself.
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