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Floria Sigismondi
Sigismondi in 2011
Born	1965 (age 58–59) Pescara, Abruzzo, Italy
Education	Ontario College of Art
Occupation(s)	Film director, screenwriter, music video director, artist, photographer
Years active	1992–present
Spouse	Lawrence Rothman
Children	1
Website	floriasigismondi.com

Floria Sigismondi (/ˌsɪdʒɪzˈmɒndi/, born 1965) is an Italian-Canadian film director, screenwriter, music video director, artist, and photographer.

She is best known for writing and directing The Runaways, for directing music videos for performers including Dua Lipa, Sam Smith, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant (of Led Zeppelin fame), Marilyn Manson, Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, Leonard Cohen, Katy Perry, Björk, The White Stripes, and David Bowie, and commercials for brands such as Gucci, MAC, Target, and Nike. Sigismondi has also directed television including two episodes of The Handmaid's Tale and American Gods.

Life and career

Sigismondi was born in Pescara, Abruzzo, Italy. Her parents, Lina and Domenico Sigismondi, were opera singers. Her family, including her sister Antonella, moved to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada when she was two. In her childhood she became obsessed by drawing and painting. Starting in 1987, she studied painting and illustration at the Ontario College of Art, today's Ontario College of Art & Design University (OCADU). When she took a photography course, she became obsessed once more, and graduated with a photography major.

Sigismondi started a career as a fashion photographer. She came to directing music videos when she was approached by the production company The Revolver Film Co., and directed music videos for a number of Canadian bands. Her very innovative, but also very disturbing video works, located in sceneries she once described as "entropic underworlds inhabited by tortured souls and omnipotent beings," attracted a number of very prominent musicians. She has further described her works as, "Something quite textural and brutal" and something quite beautiful and light. It's like blending two worlds."

With her photography and sculpture installations she had solo exhibitions in Hamilton and Toronto, New York City, Brescia (Italy), Gothenburg (Sweden), and London. Her photographs also were included in numerous group exhibitions, together with artists such as Cindy Sherman, Joel-Peter Witkin, and Francesco Clemente. The German art press Die Gestalten Verlag has published two monographs of her photography, Redemption (1999) and Immune (2005). Sigismondi also willingly creates her own set props for various music video productions such as, Perfume Genius's "Die 4 U". "If I don't create them myself, I design or draw them, I can get quite tactile detailed as far as what I see." She has an affinity for strange yet alluring things and created a flesh-esque chair to appeal to the sexual tension and desire to the spectator.

Film director

Sigismondi's first feature-length film was The Runaways, a period piece about the 1970s all-girl rock and roll band The Runaways. The film is largely about the relationship between Joan Jett and Cherie Currie. Sigismondi wrote the screenplay based on Currie's book Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway. The film premiered in 2010 at the Sundance Film Festival and was released in Canada and the United States in March 2010.

In 2020, Sigismondi directed the horror film The Turning, which was inspired by the 1898 Henry James novella The Turn of the Screw, and stars Mackenzie Davis and Finn Wolfhard.

Filmography

Short film

• Postmortem Bliss (2006)
• Leaning Towards Solace (2012)

Feature film

• The Runaways (2010)
• The Turning (2020)
• The Silence of Mercy (TBA)

Television

Music videos (selection)

Director

Cinematographer

• 2000 "4 Ton Mantis", Amon Tobin

Awards (selection)

• 2013 MTV Music Video Award, USA - Winner for Video of The Year, for Mirrors (Justin Timberlake)
• 2004 Juno Awards, Canada - Best Music Video, for "Fighter" (Christina Aguilera)
• 2003 MTV European Awards - Best International Video Award, for Untitled (Sigur Rós)
• 2003 New York Underground Film Festival - Audio/Visual Award, for Untitled (Sigur Rós)
• 2003 Advertising and Design Awards, Toronto, Ontario, Canada - Special Merit Award for Music Video, for "Fighter" (Christina Aguilera)
• 1999 German Kodak Photobook Award, for her book Redemption
• 1998 British Music Video Awards, UK - Nomination for Best Video: "Little Wonder" (David Bowie)
• 1997 MTV Music Video Awards, USA - Nomination for Best Rock Video: "Beautiful People" (Marilyn Manson)

References

1. "Official web site: Floria Sigismondi". Retrieved 18 January 2007.
2. ^ Nobil, Taryn (13 October 2017). "Director Floria Sigismondi Talks David Bowie, 'The Handmaid's Tale,' 'Fleshy' Love and Fellini". Variety. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
3. Fleming, Mike Jr. (24 August 2017). "Floria Sigismondi To Direct Henry James-Inspired 'The Turning' For Amblin". Deadline. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
4. "Rita Chiarelli: This Is My Life (Video 1992) - IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
5. "I Mother Earth: Not Quite Sonic (Video 1993) - IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
6. "The Tea Party: A Certain Slant of Light (Video 1993) - IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
7. "The Tea Party: Save Me (Video 1993) - IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
8. "The Tea Party: The River (Video 1993) - IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
9. "Our Lady Peace: The Birdman (Video 1994) - IMDb". IMDb. March 1994.
10. "Blue: Harem Scarem (Video 1995) - IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
11. "Catherine: Four Leaf Clover (Video 1996) - IMDb". IMDb. July 1996.
12. ^ "'The Runaways' Director Floria Sigismondi's 10 Best Music Videos - MTV". MTV. 19 March 2010. Archived from the original on 8 April 2020.
13. "Marilyn Manson: The Beautiful People (Video 1996) - IMDb". IMDb. 22 September 1996.
14. "Pure: Anna Is a Speed Freak (Video 1996) - IMDb". IMDb. October 1996.
15. "Marilyn Manson: Tourniquet (Video 1996) - IMDb". IMDb. December 1996.
16. "David Bowie, Floria Sigismondi. Little Wonder. 1997". MoMA. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
17. ^ "Film". Floria Sigismondi. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
18. "Fluffy: Black Eye (Video 1997) - IMDb". IMDb. March 1997.
19. "David Bowie: Dead Man Walking (Video 1997) - IMDb". IMDb. 14 April 1997.
20. "Tricky: Makes Me Wanna Die (Video 1997) - IMDb". IMDb. 14 April 1997.
21. "Filter Feat. The Crystal Method: Can't You - Trip Like I Do (Video 1997) - IMDb". IMDb. 29 July 1997.
22. "Hear and Now: Feb. 13, 1998". Entertainment Weekly. 13 February 1998.
23. "Jimmy Page & Robert Plant: Most High (Video 1998) - IMDb". IMDb. March 1998.
24. "Curve: Chinese Burn (Video 1998) - IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
25. "Barry Adamson: Can't Get Loose (Video 1998) - IMDb". IMDb. 4 April 1998.
26. "Amel Larrieux: Get Up (Video 1999) - IMDb". IMDb. November 1999.
27. "Björk: I've Seen It All, Webeo Version (Video 2000) - IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
28. "4 Ton Mantis. Videoclip di Amon Tobin diretto da Floria Sigismondi - CultFrame - Arti Visive" (in Italian). December 2006.
29. "2002 - Best Video - Floria Sigismondi, Leonard Cohen - The JUNO Awards". Retrieved 31 May 2018.
30. "Barry Adamson: Black Amour (Video 2002) - IMDb". IMDb. 26 August 2002.
31. ^ "2003 Music Video Production Association Awards". Billboard. 10 March 2003.
32. ^ "Artist Profile: Interview with Floria Sigismondi". revolutionartmagazine.com. 3 June 2010.
33. "2004 - Video of the Year - Sigur Ros, Floria Sigismondi - The JUNO Awards". Retrieved 31 May 2018.
34. "Martina Topley-Bird: Anything (Video 2003) - IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
35. "Living Things: Bombs Below, Version 1 (Video 2003) - IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
36. "2004 - Video of the Year - Christina Aguilera, Floria Sigismondi - The JUNO Awards". Retrieved 31 May 2018.
37. "2005 - Video of the Year - Floria Sigismondi - The JUNO Awards". Retrieved 31 May 2018.
38. "Incubus: Talk Shows on Mute (Video 2004) - IMDb". IMDb. 10 May 2004.
39. "Living Things: Bombs Below, Version 2 (Video 2004) - IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
40. "2006 - Video of the Year - Living Things, Floria Sigismondi - The JUNO Awards". Retrieved 31 May 2018.
41. "Muse "Supermassive Black Hole" (Dir: Floria Sigismondi)". videos.antville.org. 22 May 2006.
42. "Billy Talent - Red Flag (CD) at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
43. "2007 - Video of the Year - Christina Aguilera, Floria Sigismondi - The JUNO Awards". Retrieved 31 May 2018.
44. "Living Things' Let It Rain by Floria Sigismondi". Promo News. 22 January 2009.
45. "The Dead Weather's Dark "Die By the Drop" Video Surfaces". Rolling Stone. 23 March 2010.
46. "Katy Perry's ET (feat. Kanye West) by Floria Sigismondi". Promo News. 1 April 2011.
47. "Katy Perry 'The One That Got Away' by Floria Sigismondi". Promo News. 16 November 2011.
48. "Living Things: Har Megiddo (Video 2011) - IMDb". IMDb. 11 November 2011.
49. "Living Things: Fake It Baby, Fake It - La Dame Nature (Video 2012) - IMDb". IMDb. 20 April 2012.
50. "Ellie Goulding 'Anything Can Happen' by Floria Sigismondi". Promo News. 11 September 2012.
51. "Pink's 'Try' Video: Daring Choreography and Sexy Paint". Billboard. 10 October 2012.
52. "Pink: Try (Video 2012) - IMDb". IMDb. 10 October 2012.
53. "Sigur Ros 'Leaning Towards Solace' by Floria Sigismondi". Promo News. 14 December 2012.
54. "Sigur Rós: Leaning Towards Solace (Video 2012) - IMDb". IMDb. 6 December 2012.
55. "David Bowie 'The Stars (Are Out Tonight)' by Floria Sigismondi". Promo News. 26 February 2013.
56. "David Bowie: The Stars (Are Out Tonight) (Video 2013) - IMDb". IMDb. 27 February 2013.
57. "Justin Timberlake 'Mirrors' by Floria Sigismondi". Promo News. 21 March 2013.
58. "Justin Timberlake: Mirrors (Video 2013) - IMDb". IMDb. 19 March 2013.
59. "David Bowie 'The Next Day' by Floria Sigismondi". Promo News. 14 May 2013. Archived from the original on 10 March 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
60. "David Bowie: The Next Day (Video 2013) - IMDb". IMDb. 30 April 2013.
61. "Lawrence Rothman 'Montauk Fling' by Floria Sigismondi". Promo News. 20 June 2013.
62. "Lawrence Rothman's '#1 All Time Low' Video Is The Creepiest Thing You'll See Today". HuffPost. 16 September 2013.
63. "Lawrence Rothman – Fatal Attraction: New music". The Guardian. 17 October 2013.
64. "Lawrence Rothman ft. Angel Olsen 'California Paranoia' by Floria Sigismondi". Promo News. 20 October 2015.
65. "Lawrence Rothman – Oz vs. Eden". HUNGER TV. 29 October 2015. Archived from the original on 22 March 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
66. "Lawrence Rothman: Users (Video 2015) - IMDb". IMDb. 9 December 2015.
67. "Lawrence Rothman reveals new "H" video by Bowie director Floria Sigismondi". thelineofbestfit.com. 15 January 2016.
68. "Rihanna 'Sledgehammer' by Floria Sigismondi". Promo News. 3 July 2016.
69. "Rihanna: Sledgehammer (Video 2016) - IMDb". IMDb. 30 June 2016.
70. "Perfume Genius 'Die 4 You' by Floria Sigismondi". Promo News. 11 May 2017.
71. "Alice Glass "Without Love" (Floria Sigismondi, dir.)". Videostatic. 10 August 2017.
72. "Watch Lawrence Rothman's Heartbreaking "Ain't Afraid Of Dying"". The FADER. 16 August 2017.
73. "Lawrence Rothman f/ Kim Gordon "Designer Babies" (Floria Sigismondi, dir.)". Videostatic. 5 September 2017.
74. "Lawrence Rothman's New Video for "Jordan" Is a Tender Sci-Fi Dreamscape". Noisey. 19 September 2017.
75. "Watch Sam Smith and Kim Petras in Underground Sex Club in 'Unholy' Video". Spin. 30 September 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.

• Sigismondi, Floria (1999). Redemption. Gestalten Verlag. ISBN 3-931126-18-8.
• Sigismondi, Floria (2005). Immune. Gestalten Verlag. ISBN 3-89955-069-2.

External links

• Official website
• Floria Sigismondi at IMDb
• Interview in Revolutionart International Magazine 4
• The Raconteurs' video for 'Broken Boy Soldier' + interview with director Floria Sigismondi.
• CoolHunting.com Video Interview
• A Short Film directed by Floria also with a brief interview
• Commercials, select music videos and a biography at Believe Media
• Official site for the feature documentary 'FLicKeR'
• Fright Club - The New York Times Magazine

• 1965 births
• Canadian music video directors
• Canadian photographers
• Canadian women film directors
• English-language film directors
• Female music video directors
• Italian emigrants to Canada
• Italian women photographers
• Living people
• OCAD University alumni
• Film directors from Hamilton, Ontario
• People from Pescara
• Canadian women photographers
• Juno Award for Video of the Year winners