Stephane Gauger facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stephane Gauger
|
|
|---|---|
Stephane in 2015
|
|
| Born | August 30, 1969 |
| Died | January 11, 2018 (aged 48) |
| Occupation | Film director, screenwriter, cinematographer. |
Stephane Gauger (born August 30, 1969 – died January 11, 2018) was an American filmmaker. He was born in Vietnam and became a well-known director, writer, and cinematographer. A cinematographer is the person who is in charge of how a movie is filmed, making sure it looks just right.
Contents
Early Life and Film Career
Stephane Gauger was born in Saigon, South Vietnam. His father was American, and his mother was Vietnamese. He grew up in Fountain Valley, California. Stephane studied theatre arts and French literature at California State University, Fullerton.
Working Behind the Camera
While in college, Stephane met Matthew Libatique, who later became a famous cinematographer. Stephane learned from him, helping with cameras and lights on movie sets. He worked as a lighting technician on films like Three Seasons (1999) and Green Dragon (2001). He also helped with lighting on the Vietnamese action film The Rebel (2007).
Stephane also worked as a cinematographer himself on several short films. He even filmed some of his own movies, including Vietnam Overtures, Owl and the Sparrow (2007), and Saigon Electric (2011).
Movies Directed by Stephane Gauger
Stephane Gauger directed several films during his career. His movies often explored unique stories and cultures.
Owl and the Sparrow (2007)
Owl and the Sparrow was Stephane's first major film. It tells the story of a young girl who runs away from home in Vietnam. She meets a flight attendant and a zoo worker. The film shows their journey to find happiness and connection.
This movie was very popular and won more than 15 awards at film festivals around the world. It won the audience award at the Los Angeles Film Festival and the Crystal Heart Award at the Heartland Film Festival. Stephane was also nominated for important awards like the Gotham Award for Best Breakthrough Director.
Vietnam Overtures (2008)
Vietnam Overtures was Stephane's first documentary film. A documentary is a movie that tells a true story. This film was about a special music program. It showed how musicians from Norway and Vietnam shared their music and learned from each other. The film first showed at the Hawaii International Film Festival.
Saigon Electric (2011)
Stephane's second feature film was Saigon Electric. This movie explores the exciting dance cultures in Vietnam. It follows characters who are passionate about different dance styles. The film won Best Film and Best Actress at the Golden Kite Awards in Hanoi, Vietnam. It also won awards at the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival and the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.
Chinatown Squad (2012)
Stephane directed a TV pilot called Chinatown Squad. A TV pilot is like a test episode for a new TV show. This show was about a group of police officers in San Francisco in the 1980s. They worked to stop crime and corruption in the city's Chinatown area.
Cheetah: The Nelson Vails Story (2014)
In 2014, Stephane directed another documentary. This one was called Cheetah: The Nelson Vails Story. It was about Nelson Vails, a famous Olympic cyclist. The film shared his journey and achievements in the world of bicycle racing.
Kiss and Spell (2017)
Yêu Đi, Đừng Sợ!, which means "Kiss and Spell," was one of Stephane's last films. It's a romantic comedy from Vietnam. The story is about a magician who is scared of ghosts. He falls in love with a girl who seems to have a connection to the supernatural world. This movie was a remake of a Korean film and won an Audience Award at the Da Nang Film Festival in Vietnam.
My Brother Vincent (2018)
Stephane's final film was a documentary called My Brother Vincent. It was released after he passed away. The film was about a play that told the story of the famous painter Vincent van Gogh. The documentary included interviews with actors and historians. It also explored important places in Van Gogh's life, like France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
Writing for Films
Besides directing, Stephane Gauger also wrote stories and screenplays for movies. A screenplay is the script for a film, including dialogue and directions.
He wrote the story for the crime drama film Powder Blue (2009). This movie had many famous actors like Jessica Biel and Forest Whitaker. Stephane also wrote the screenplays for films he directed, such as Owl and the Sparrow and Saigon Electric.
Awards and Recognition
Stephane Gauger was recognized for his talent in filmmaking. He was nominated for the Breakthrough Director Award at the Gotham Awards in 2007. He also received the emerging director award at the Denver Film Festival for his work on Owl and the Sparrow. Filmmaker Magazine even named him one of the "25 new faces" to watch in 2007.
Stephane Gauger's Legacy
Stephane Gauger passed away on January 11, 2018, at the age of 48, after having a stroke in Vietnam. He left behind a collection of films that showed his unique vision and storytelling ability. His work continues to be remembered and appreciated in the world of independent cinema.
Films Directed
- Yêu Đi, Đừng Sợ! (Kiss and Tell) (2017)
- Cheetah: The Nelson Vails Story (Documentary) (2014)
- The Moral Paper Route (Short) (2012)
- Chinatown Squad (TV movie) (2012)
- Saigon Electric (2010)
- Vietnam Overtures (Documentary) (2008)
- Owl and the Sparrow (2007)
Films Written
- Saigon Electric (2010)
- Finding Gauguin (2010) (short film)
- Powder Blue (2009)
- Owl and the Sparrow (2007)
