Danny Boyle: News

There are not many directors with a resume akin to Danny Boyle. The man with the Midas touch in British cinema, what made him a torchbearer was his approach to filmmaking. Unlike traditional British filmmakers, he mixed reality with surrealism and used a vivid color palette to mix joy with sorrow. Born on October 20, 1956, in Radcliffe, England, Boyle had a religious upbringing. He was an altar boy and was on the verge of becoming a priest. However, instead of finding solace in God, he found solace in drama. After graduating from the University College of North Wales, Boyle began his career at the Joint Stock Theatre Company. In 1987, he joined BBC Northern Ireland as a producer. In the same year, he made his directorial debut by directing a TV movie called ‘The Venus de Milo Instead.’ It was, however, the 1993 BBC Two mini-series ‘Mr. Wroe’s Virgins’ that made a name for him. Soon enough, ‘Shallow Grave,’ the first feature film directed by Boyle was released in 1994. It won the BAFTA Award for Best Film in 1995. His next film ‘Trainspotting’ (1996) was ranked as the 10th greatest British film of the 20th century by BFI. Boyle reached the top of the pyramid with his 2008 film ‘Slumdog Millionaire.’ It was nominated for ten Academy Awards and won eight. Boyle won the award for Best Director. In 2011, he received two Academy Award nominations (Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay) for his film ‘127 Hours.’