Childhood & Early Life
Neil Jordan was born in County Sligo, Ireland, on 25th February 1950. His mother Angela was a painter and his father Michael Jordan, a professor. He was brought up as a Catholic.
He went to St Paul’s College, where he studied Irish history and English literature.
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Career As A Filmmaker
Neil Jordan was a novelist and short-story writer before he started working for filmmaker John Boorman. He made his film debut in 1982 with ‘Angel’, which he wrote and directed. It was made on a small budget.
In 1984, he directed the gothic fantasy horror film ‘The Company of Wolves’. It was made on a budget of around $2.3 million. The film turned out to be commercially successful, earning around $4.3 million. It won multiple awards and nominations.
His next film was the crime drama ‘Mona Lisa’, released in 1986. It won several awards and nominations. Jordan was nominated for two BAFTA Awards, for ‘Best Direction’ and ‘Best Original Screenplay’. He was also nominated for the Golden Globe for ‘Best Screenplay.’
His next movies included ‘High Spirits’ (1988), ‘We’re No Angels’, (1989), and ‘The Miracle’ (1991).
He got international popularity after he directed the thriller ‘The Crying Game’ in 1992. The film was a huge success commercially and received favorable reviews as well. It earned the BAFTA Award for ‘Best British Film’ and the Oscar for ‘Best Original Screenplay’.
In 1994, he directed the romantic gothic horror film ‘Interview with the Vampire’. The film, which starred actors such as Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, was a commercial success, and earned over $220 million on a $60 million budget.
In 1996, he directed the biopic ‘Michael Collins’. It was nominated for two Oscars and received positive reviews. However, it didn’t do well commercially.
His next work was the 1997 drama film ‘The Butcher Boy’. The film was about a twelve-year-old boy being abused by his stepfather after his mother’s death. The movie won several awards, including the Silver Bear for Best Director for Jordan.
His next film ‘The End of the Affair’, which he wrote and directed, was released in 1999. It was based on a 1951 novel by British author Graham Greene. The film earned two Oscar nominations. Jordan won the BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. He was also nominated for another BAFTA Award and a Golden Globe, both for ‘Best Director’.
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In 1999, he also wrote and directed ‘In Dreams’. The film was a commercial failure, earning just $12 million on a budget of $30 million. The film is about a New England illustrator who begins experiencing visions of a missing child and psychic connections to a serial child killer.
Neil Jordan’s next movie as a director was the crime thriller ‘The Good Thief’ (2002). Over the years, he also directed the movies ‘Breakfast on Pluto’ (2005), ‘The Brave One’ (2007), ‘Ondine’ (2009), and ‘Byzantium’ (2012).
Between 2011 and 2013, he created, directed, and served as the executive producer on the TV series ‘The Borgias.’
In 2017, he created and served as the executive producer on the TV series ‘Riviera’. His most recent work is the 2018 psychological thriller film ‘Greta’. The reviews were mostly mixed.
Major Works
One of Neil Jordan’s most significant works is the 1992 thriller film ‘The Crying Game’, which he wrote and directed. The movie starred actors such as Stephen Rea, Miranda Richardson and Jaye Davidson. The film did well at the box office, earning over $60 million on a small budget of $2.3 million. Jordan was nominated for two Oscars, out of which he won one for ‘Best Original Screenplay’.
The 1997 tragicomic drama film ‘The Butcher Boy’ is another of his important works. It was adapted from a 1992 novel of the same name by Patrick McCabe. The film starred actors such as Stephen Rea, Fiona Shaw and Eamonn Owens. The film won several awards. Jordan won the Silver Bear for Best Director at the Berlin International Film Festival.
His novel ‘Mistaken’ is a popular one. Published in 2011, it is told from the viewpoint of Kevin Thunder, who grew up in the 1960s. The book won the Irish Book Award as well as the Kerry Group Irish Fiction Award in the same year.
Facts About Neil Jordan
Neil Jordan is not only a talented filmmaker, but also a skilled writer, having published several novels and short story collections.
In addition to his work in film, Neil Jordan has also directed opera productions, showcasing his diverse artistic talents.
Neil Jordan has a passion for exploring themes of identity and transformation in his work, often delving into complex character studies.
As a director, Neil Jordan is known for his visually striking and atmospheric storytelling, creating immersive cinematic experiences for audiences.
Outside of his creative pursuits, Neil Jordan is also known for his advocacy work on issues such as human rights and social justice.
