Moxie Pictures has added Ivan Bird and Giles Lovell-Wilson to its directorial roster for global representation spanning commercials and branded content.
Bird, who was formerly handled by production house Rattling Stick, has turned out work known for its exquisite cinematography, dynamic precision, technical sophistication, and pitch-perfect natural performances. Bird began his career as a stills photographer before seamlessly transitioning to a DP and director. His iconic and much-emulated work as a DP includes the legendary Guinness commercials “Surfer” and “Swimmer” and also Jonathan Glazer’s debut feature, the BAFTA and Oscar nominated Sexy Beast.
Since transitioning to directing, Bird has helmed spots for major brands including Nike, Mercedes-Benz, HSBC, American Airlines and the BBC.
Meanwhile, Lovell-Wilson is a London based fashion and beauty filmmaker. He began his career in stills and swiftly moved into directing. His work for high fashion brands is characterized by beautiful clean-cut photography, playful dynamic choreography and a slick cutting edge style. He has made films for some of the biggest global brands in fashion including Gucci, Max Factor and Tommy Hilfiger. Prior to joining Moxie, Lovell-Wilson was with London production house Graft.
Rom-Com Mainstay Hugh Grant Shifts To The Dark Side and He’s Never Been Happier
After some difficulties connecting to a Zoom, Hugh Grant eventually opts to just phone instead.
"Sorry about that," he apologizes. "Tech hell." Grant is no lover of technology. Smart phones, for example, he calls the "devil's tinderbox."
"I think they're killing us. I hate them," he says. "I go on long holidays from them, three or four days at at time. Marvelous."
Hell, and our proximity to it, is a not unrelated topic to Grant's new film, "Heretic." In it, two young Mormon missionaries (Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher) come knocking on a door they'll soon regret visiting. They're welcomed in by Mr. Reed (Grant), an initially charming man who tests their faith in theological debate, and then, in much worse things.
After decades in romantic comedies, Grant has spent the last few years playing narcissists, weirdos and murders, often to the greatest acclaim of his career. But in "Heretic," a horror thriller from A24, Grant's turn to the dark side reaches a new extreme. The actor who once charmingly stammered in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and who danced to the Pointer Sisters in "Love Actually" is now doing heinous things to young people in a basement.
"It was a challenge," Grant says. "I think human beings need challenges. It makes your beer taste better in the evening if you've climbed a mountain. He was just so wonderfully (expletive)-up."
"Heretic," which opens in theaters Friday, is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, co-writers of "A Quiet Place." In Grant's hands, Mr. Reed is a divinely good baddie — a scholarly creep whose wry monologues pull from a wide range of references, including, fittingly, Radiohead's "Creep."
In an interview, Grant spoke about these and other facets of his character, his journey... Read More