Is Whit Stillman Living or Dead?

About Whit Stillman

Whit Stillman is a unique voice in American cinema, known for his witty and insightful explorations of the lives and loves of the urban elite. Born on January 25, 1952, in Washington, D.C., Stillman grew up in a privileged environment, attending elite schools and studying at Harvard University.

After a brief stint in publishing, Stillman turned to filmmaking, writing and directing his debut feature, "Metropolitan," in 1990. The film, which explored the lives of a group of young socialites in Manhattan, was a critical and commercial success, earning Stillman an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay.

Stillman followed up "Metropolitan" with two more films in the 1990s, "Barcelona" (1994) and "The Last Days of Disco" (1998), both of which continued his exploration of the lives and loves of the urban elite. Though not as commercially successful as "Metropolitan," both films were well-received by critics and have since become cult classics.

After a long hiatus from filmmaking, Stillman returned to the screen in 2011 with "Damsels in Distress," a comedy about a group of college girls trying to improve the lives of their fellow students. The film received mixed reviews but marked a welcome return for Stillman, who had been absent from the screen for over a decade.

Throughout his career, Stillman has been praised for his sharp writing, his keen eye for detail, and his ability to capture the nuances of his characters' lives. His films are often compared to the works of Jane Austen and other writers of the British literary tradition, and his characters are known for their wit, intelligence, and idiosyncrasies.

Despite his success, Stillman remains something of an outsider in Hollywood, eschewing the mainstream in favor of his own unique vision. But for those who appreciate his singular style, he is a true original, a filmmaker who has carved out a distinctive niche in American cinema.

References:

- "Whit Stillman: The Last of the WASP Filmmakers," Rolling Stone, March 9, 2012.

- "Whit Stillman: The Director Who Disappeared," The New York Times, April 1, 2012.

- "Whit Stillman: The Return of the Master of Manners," The Guardian, April 19, 2012.