Ilya Naishuller

Biography

Ilya Naishuller is a Russian filmmaker and musician renowned for his innovative use of first-person perspective in action cinema and his dynamic contributions to music videos.

Early Life and Education

Born on November 19, 1983, in Moscow, Naishuller spent part of his childhood in London before returning to Russia. He briefly attended the New York University Tisch School of the Arts but left to pursue a career in music and film.

Music Career

In 2008, Naishuller founded the indie rock band Biting Elbows as the lead vocalist and guitarist. The band gained international attention with the 2013 music video "Bad Motherfucker," directed by Naishuller, which went viral for its intense first-person action sequences.

Film Career

Naishuller's success with music videos paved the way for his feature film debut, Hardcore Henry (2015). The film, shot entirely from a first-person perspective, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and won the People's Choice Award in the Midnight Madness category.

In 2021, he directed Nobody, an action thriller starring Bob Odenkirk. The film opened at number one at the U.S. box office, solidifying Naishuller's reputation in Hollywood.

His upcoming project, Heads of State, featuring Idris Elba, John Cena, and Priyanka Chopra, is slated for release on July 2, 2025, on Prime Video.

Other Works

Naishuller has directed several notable music videos, including:

"False Alarm" by The Weeknd (2016)

"Kolshik" by Leningrad (2017), which won a Cannes Lions award

Multiple videos for Biting ElbowsWikipedia, l'enciclopedia libera+4

He is also the founder of Versus Pictures, a production company that specializes in film and music video production.

Personal Life

In 2010, Naishuller married actress and musician Daria Charusha.