Marek Kanievska

Biography

Marek Kanievska is a British film and television director known for his work in both the United Kingdom and the United States. He is best known for directing Another Country (1984), Less Than Zero (1987), Where the Money Is (2000), and A Different Loyalty (2004).

Early Career

Kanievska began his directing career in television, working in Australia during the early 1970s before returning to Britain. He directed episodes of programs including Matlock Police, Within These Walls, Hazell, Shoestring, Thomas & Sarah, and ITV Playhouse.

During the late 1970s and 1980s, he also became an accomplished director of television commercials. His advertising work earned him several Golden Lions from the British Advertising Awards.

Another Country

Kanievska made his feature-film debut with Another Country (1984), a British historical drama starring Rupert Everett and Colin Firth. The film is loosely based on the life of British spy Guy Burgess and examines homosexuality, Marxism, class, and the rigid culture of an English public school.

The film was selected for competition at the 1984 Cannes Film Festival and won the Award for Best Artistic Contribution.

Less Than Zero

His next major feature was Less Than Zero (1987), starring Andrew McCarthy, Jami Gertz, and Robert Downey Jr. The film follows college student Clay as he returns to Los Angeles for Christmas and discovers that his former best friend Julian has become deeply involved with drug addiction.

Kanievska's direction gave the film a dark and atmospheric portrayal of wealthy young people and the drug culture of 1980s Los Angeles. The film is also remembered for Robert Downey Jr.'s performance as Julian Wells.

Later Films

Kanievska subsequently directed Where the Money Is (2000), a crime comedy-drama starring Paul Newman, Linda Fiorentino, and Dermot Mulroney. His final feature film to date is A Different Loyalty (2004), starring Sharon Stone and Rupert Everett.

Notable Filmography

• The First Day (1980)
• Another Country (1984)
• Less Than Zero (1987)
• Where the Money Is (2000)
• A Different Loyalty (2004)