Fifty Contemporary Filmmakers examines the work of of some of today's most popular, original and influential cinematic voices from around the world. The subjects of these fifty essays are drawn from such diverse cinematic traditions as Europe cinema, mainstream Hollywood movies, independent American film, Chinese and Japanese cinema. Among those featured in this lively reference are:

* Pedro Almodovar * Luc Besson * Joel and Ethan Coen * David Cronenberg * Julie Dash * Hal Hartley * David Lynch * Martin Scorsese * Lars Von Trier * Wim Wenders

These essays outlines its subject's career, discussing the major films, the genres in which he or she works, references and relationships to other films and filmmakers, and concluding with an assessment of his or her status as an auteur. With each entry supplemented by a filmography, references and suggestions for further reading, this is a guide to modern cinema which students of, or anyone interested in, contemporary film will find indispensable.