Jonathan Demme

**Jonathan Demme**, born Robert Jonathan Demme on February 22, 1944, was a renowned American filmmaker. Demme's directorial, producing, and screenwriting contributions spanned for over 30 years, during which time he was associated with more than 70 feature films, documentaries, and television productions. An Academy Award and Directors Guild of America Award winner, Demme also received nominations for a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, and three Independent Spirit Awards. His career began under the patronage of B-movie producer Roger Corman, marking his directorial debut with the 1974 women-in prison film *Caged Heat*. He is best known for his casually humanist films and his extraordinary work in *The Silence of the Lambs*, which won five Academy Awards including Best Director and Best Picture. His other notable films include *Philadelphia*, *Beloved*, *The Manchurian Candidate*, and *Rachel Getting Married*. Demme was known for his unique filmic style characterized by dramatic close-ups, a strategy utilized to engage his audience in the character's experience. Apart from films, he also directed numerous music videos and was an avid collector of Haitian art.