Ana Lily Amirpour facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ana Lily Amirpour
Amirpour in 2014
Born	Margate, Kent, England
Alma mater	San Francisco State University University of California, Los Angeles
Occupation	Film director screenwriter
Years active	2009–present

Ana Lily Amirpour is an American film director and writer with Iranian roots. She is famous for her unique movies that mix different styles. Her first major film was A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night. It was called "the first Iranian vampire western" and became a hit at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival.

Early Life and Education

Ana Lily Amirpour was born in Margate, England, to parents from Iran. Her family later moved to Miami, Florida, and then to Bakersfield, California, where she went to high school.

From a young age, Amirpour loved movies. When her family moved to the United States, she learned about American culture through films and music, like Madonna and Michael Jackson. Her dad bought a video camera when she was 12, and she started making her own short movies, often copying TV commercials.

She first studied biology in college but soon switched to art. She earned a degree from San Francisco State University. Later, she studied screenwriting at the famous UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television.

Career in Filmmaking

Amirpour has been making movies since she was a pre-teen. Her professional career includes feature films, short films, and television episodes.

Feature Films

A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)

Amirpour's first big movie was A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night. This black-and-white film tells the story of a lonely vampire in a spooky Iranian town. It mixes the style of a classic Western movie with horror and romance. The movie stars Sheila Vand as the mysterious vampire girl.

The film was very popular at the Sundance Film Festival. Critics praised its cool, unique style. Some compared Amirpour to famous directors like Quentin Tarantino and Jim Jarmusch. The movie won several awards at film festivals around the world.

The Bad Batch (2016)

Her second movie, The Bad Batch, is set in a desert wasteland in Texas. It's a survival story about a community of outcasts. Amirpour described it as a wild adventure with a great soundtrack. The film stars well-known actors like Suki Waterhouse, Jason Momoa, Jim Carrey, and Keanu Reeves. It won a Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival.

Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon (2021)

Amirpour's third film is Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon. It's an adventure story about a girl with special powers who escapes from a mental hospital. She explores the lively streets of New Orleans and makes new friends. The movie stars Jeon Jong-seo and Kate Hudson. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2021.

Television Work

Amirpour has also directed episodes for several popular TV shows. She has worked on:

• Legion, a superhero series with a unique visual style.
• The Twilight Zone, a modern version of the classic sci-fi show.
• Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities, a horror anthology series.
• The Night Agent, a popular action-thriller series on Netflix.

Her Unique Style

Amirpour is known for creating movies that feel like their own unique worlds. She mixes different genres, like Westerns, horror, and romance, to create something new.

• Visuals are Key: Her films often have stunning visuals and use images more than dialogue to tell the story. The setting of her movies is like a character itself.
• Music is Important: Music plays a huge role in her films. The soundtracks help set the mood and show the personality of the characters.
• Themes of Outsiders: Many of her stories are about characters who feel like outsiders or rebels. As an Iranian-American, she often explores what it feels like to not quite fit in. Her main characters are often strong girls and women who are trying to find their own way.

Filmography

Feature Films

Television

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Ana Lily Amirpour para niños