Happy 55th Birthday, Lana Wachowski! Born today in 1965 as Laurence Wachowski (known as Larry Wachowski prior to 2012), this American screenwriter, producer and film and television director works alongside her sister Lilly (known as Andy Wachowski prior to 2016). Both are now trans women.
Creatively known as the Wachowskis, Lana and her sister have both worked as a writing and directing team through most of their professional film careers.
In the late 1990s, Lana and her sister made their directing debut with the 1996 American neo-noir crime thriller/romance film 'Bound'.
Three years later, Lana and her sister achieved fame with their second film of which they are best known for writing and directing.
This was the 1999 American science fiction action film 'The Matrix'. It is the first installment in the Matrix franchise.
'The Matrix' is an example of the cyberpunk subgenere of science fiction. The Wachowskis' approach to action scenes was influenced by Japanese animation and martial arts films.
The film's use of fight choreographers and wire fu techniques from Hong Kong action cinema influenced subsequent Hollywood action film productions.
'The Matrix' popularized the "bullet time" visual effect, by which the action within a shot progresses in slow monitor while the camera appears to move at normal speed, allowing the sped-up movements of certain characters to be perceived normally. It was also influential for its impact on superhero films.
While some critics have praised 'The Matrix' for its handling of difficult subjects, others have said the deeper themes are largely overshadowed by its action scenes. The film was also praised for its innovative visual effects, action sequences, cinematography and entertainment value.
'The Matrix' was well-received by many critics. The following year, it won four Oscars for Best Sound Mixing, Best Sound Editing, Best Visual Effects and Best Film Editing. This occurred at the 72nd Academy Awards in late March 2000.
The following month, the film also went on to win two BAFTA Award for Best Sound and Best Special Visual Effects. This occurred at the 53rd British Academy Film Awards in early April 2000.
Two months later, 'The Matrix' won two Saturn Awards for Best Science Fiction Film and Best Director. This occurred at the 26th Saturn Awards in early June 2000.
On a budget of $63 million, the film grossed $ 465.3 million at the box office. The film is considered to be among the best science fiction films of all time.
In 2001, ‘The Matrix’ ranked in at #66 on AFI's 100 Years... 100 Thrills list of the 100 most thrilling American films of all time.
The success of 'The Matrix' led to the release of two feature film sequels in the early 2000s.
This was the 2003 American science fiction action film 'The Matrix Reloaded' and the American science fiction action film 'The Matrix Revolutions'. These were also written and directed by the Wachowskis.
The Matrix franchise was further expanded through the production of comic books, video games and animated short films, with which the Wachowskis were heavily involved.
The franchise has also inspired books and theories expanding on some of the religious and philosophical ideas alluded to in the films.
Following the commercial success of The Matrix series, Lana and her sister wrote and produced the 2005 American/British/German dystopian political thriller action film 'V for Vendetta'.
The film was an adaptation of the 1980s British graphic novel by English writer Alan Moore and British comics artist David Lloyd.
Two years later, Lana and her sister directed the kaleidoscopic 2008 American/Australian/German sports action comedy family film a live-action adaptation of the titular Japanese anime series (1967–1968).
Their next film was the 2012 Cloud Atlas'. The film was adapted from English novelist and screenwriter David Mitchell's titular 2004 science fantasy fiction drama novel.
The film was also co-written and co-directed by German film director, producer, screenwriter, and composer Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run).
Also in 2012, 'The Matrix' was added to the National Film Registry for preservation.
Three years later, the sisters wrote and directed the 2015 American sci-fi/action space opera film 'Jupiter Ascending'.
On a budget $176–200 million, the film only grossed $183.9 million at the box office. Despite this, it also received generally negative reception upon release.
It is currently also their lowest film to date, with a rating of 27% on Rotten Tomatoes from two hundred and sixty-six critics.
Later that same year, Lana and her sister co-created the American science fiction drama web television series Sense8 (2015–2018) for Netflix.
This was along with American television and film screenwriter, producer and director, and comic book writer J. Michael Straczynski.
Both 'Jupiter Ascending' and Sense8 debuted in January and June 2015, respectfully.
While English actor Eddie Redmayne co-starred in 'Jupiter Ascending' Lana helped Redmayne to prepare for the trans role in Tom Hooper's (‘The King’s Speech’, ‘Les Misérables') latest drama.
This was for the 2015 British/American/German/Danish/Belgian/Japanese biographical romance/drama film ‘The Danish Girl’, released in September. "She pointed me to where to start reading," Redmayne told The Hollywood Reporter.
In 2018, the second season of Sense8 ended the series and was Lana's first major creative undertaking without Lilly.
Since the series finale of Sense8, the Wachowskis have been working separately on different projects: Lilly is writing and executive-producing Showtime's Work in Progress with creators Abby McEnany and Tim Mason.
Lana is currently filming a fourth Matrix film planned for December 22, 2021, which she wrote with David Mitchell and Bosnian-American fiction writer, essayist, and critic Aleksandar Hermon.
However, Lilly will not be involved with the film due to working Work in Progress, but gave her blessing to those involved to come up with a story even "better than the original."
According to the Wachowski's trademarks, these include frequently casting American actor Joe Pantoliano, using overhead shots when crowds of people enter a room and cutting to the next scene by focusing or entering an object.
The bonds of siblinghood can forge great things, and in the case of Lana and Lilly Wachowski, they had created a vision that has revolutionized the modern approach to sci-fi action cinema.
Even if their ideas for individual stylistic and artistic flourishes may not be entirely original, their remarkable talent for combining the best of both the action and sci-fi universes with high-concept, nearly mythological storytelling.
This has resulted in at least one film that has been imitated, emulated, and parodied arguably more than any other in genre history.
Lana has been active from 1994–present.
#borntodirect
#LanaWachowski
@TheMatrixMovie
@WomenInFilm
@librarycongress
@AmericanFilmInstitute
@Sense8TV
@netflixus
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