WASP Wednesday: WASP Film Directors

WASP Wednesday is back in full swing! This week Muffy and I bring your WASP film directors. Yes, we have pinpointed some films WASPs love, but we have never picked out favorite WASP directors!

A lot goes in to making a movie as we all know. From what I understand (I am not a movie buff by ANY means) the director is the backbone of the film. We already know WASPs are all about a little bit of history, education and culture so of course some of the first productions that came were Merchant Ivory Productions. The company was the 1961 collaboration between James Ivory (director) and Ismail Merchant (producer). Ruth Jhabvala was also brought on the team as a script writer.

If you have ever seen a Merchant Ivory film you know they are nothing short of stunning. The films are known for their AMAZING sets- they are just beautiful. James Ivory and Ismail Merchant make certain the homes used are always historical and decorated as if the very best London and New York designers came in for months. They are truly just marvelous. Their subject matter is of the same caliber, historical and intellectual. Like the WASP, Merchant Ivory films are also well traveled. Merchant was born and raised in the US, while Ivory is a native of India and Jhabvala of Germany. They have shot their films all over world- think France, India, Italy, the United States and the United Kingdom- which only adds to the beauty of their scenes. Another MIP factor that is appealing to the WASP is that many of the films are based on novels. The WASP loves to read, read about history, so Merchant Ivory really just hits the nail on the head. Now, of course the subject matter of many Merchant Ivory films is not the happiest, but then again history is not perfect either. The films take you back to another day and age- they are works of art!

The Golden Bowl- Based on the novel by Jame Henry (1904)

While the underlying subject is a bit depressing this film has some of the most beautiful scenery! I still remember going to this with my mother at the theater next to Bergdorf's when it opened in 2001- what fun!

A Room With a View

This is considered to be MIP first blockbuster. The film won three Academy Awards: Best Art Direction, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Costume Design

Since the death of Ismail Merchant in 2005 fewer Merchant Ivory productions have been released. However, it appears the WASP movie set does have one to look forward too: The City of Your Final Destination should hit theaters on April 16th, 2010!