In anticipation of ‘Fever Dreams: The Cinema of Claire Denis’, M+ Cinema presents this supplementary programme to highlight some of cinematic works by Denis’s peers, collaborators, and inspirations. Before directing her first film Chocolat, Denis worked extensively as assistant director for filmmakers including Wim Wenders and Jim Jarmusch. As an avid student of world cinema, she has cited masters like Yasujiro Ozu as inspiration for her own work. Besides, her collaborations with cinematographer Agnès Godard and filmmaker Mati Diop have resulted in mutual inspiration. 'Claire Denis: Friends and Inspiration’ serves as a celebration of Denis’s artistic trajectory by providing additional perspective on her vision and practice.

Claire Denis (b. 1946, France) began her career working on set in Dusan Makavejev's Sweet Movie (1974). She served as assistant director for Wim Wenders on Paris, Texas (1984) and Wings of Desire (1987). Her time working alongside Jim Jarmusch on Down by Law (1986) was crucial to her growth as a filmmaker before directing her debut Chocolat (1988). In the subsequent decades, her elliptical narrative and visual style received widespread acclaim. The 2000s were a significant decade for Denis’s career, seeing the release of Friday Night (2002), 35 Shots of Rum (2008), and White Material (2009). Her diverse body of work has been recognised by European films festivals including Berlinale and Cannes.