Un vero e proprio shock per il mondo del cinema: la regista americana Lynn Shelton si è spenta lo scorso 15 maggio a Los Angeles per una malattia del sangue non meglio precisata. Aveva 54 anni.
Nata in Ohio nel 1965 ma cresciuta a Seattle, Lynn Shelton studia all’Oberlin College, alla School of Drama della University of Washington e alla School of Visual Arts di Manhattan, dove segue il programma Master’s of Fine Arts; in seguito comincia a lavorare come montatrice, mentre gira cortometraggi sperimentali e si mantiene con diversi lavori. Uno di questi la vede impiegata a bordo di un peschereccio nel mare di Bering.
Nel 2003, ascoltando Claire Denis al Seattle’s Northwest Film Forum, capisce che non è mai troppo tardi per esordire alla regia: la stessa cineasta francese dice di averlo fatto all’età di 40 anni. Così, Lynn Shelton non si dà per vinta e dirige il suo primo lungometraggio, We Go Way Back, presentato allo Slamdance Film Festival nel 2006. Si afferma ben presto come una delle principali voci indie del cinema americano, dirigendo anche What the Funny (2008), My Effortless Brilliance (2008), Humpday (2008), Your Sister’s Sister (2011), Touchy Feely (2013), Laggies (2014), Outside In (2017) e Sword of Trust (2019).
La sua carriera è stata ricca anche sul piccolo schermo: ha infatti diretto un episodio di Mad Men e varie puntate di New Girl, The Mindy Project, Fresh Off the Boat, Master of None, Maron, Shameless, Love, GLOW, Dickinson, The Morning Show e Little Fires Everywhere.
Una settimana prima della sua morte, stava scrivendo un film drammatico con il compagno Marc Maron.
We lost our dear friend Lynn Shelton. We made so many things together. I wish we had made more. Her boundless creative energy and infectious spirit were unrivaled. She made me better. We butted heads, made up, laughed, pushed each other. Like family. What a deep loss. pic.twitter.com/LcowmbGqum
— Mark Duplass (@MarkDuplass) May 16, 2020
Lynn Shelton was one of the wonderful advisors I had the Sundance Labs. I am so sad and in such shock to hear the news of her passing. Her work and her mentorship was deeply affecting to me. Love to her friends and family. RIP, Lynn.
— Nia DaCosta (@NiaDaCosta) May 16, 2020
I am truly shocked at the passing of Lynn Shelton. She was a friend, a kind heart, so talented & only just getting started, despite her stellar work so far. My heart goes out to her family and loved ones. She’s left us too soon. I can’t believe I’ll never hear her laugh again.
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) May 16, 2020
Lynn Shelton changed my life when she handed me the Directing Award at Sundance in 2012. She announced my name with pride. Handed it to me with love. Rooted for me long after. I can’t believe I’m typing this. Rest In Peace, Beauty. Thank you for your films. And for your kindness. pic.twitter.com/KySqgIdqQd
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) May 16, 2020
A few years ago I was doing karaoke with a group of people in Seattle when suddenly, something shifted. I thought: did they turn the lights on? Is it someone’s birthday? No, the only thing that was different was that Lynn Shelton had walked into the room
— Melanie Lynskey (@melanielynskey) May 16, 2020
Rest peacefully, Lynn Shelton. Damn. A singular talent and a really nice person. This is awful and so, so sad.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) May 16, 2020
In addition to her unique and original films, Lynn Shelton directed one of my favorite episodes of Mad Men: https://t.co/gwD3DLWpoV pic.twitter.com/HhcYQO0pFm
— Karina Longworth (@KarinaLongworth) May 16, 2020
Devastating news. I was lucky enough to play a small role in a Lynn Shelton film & she treated her cast & crew like a family. I learned about directing from watching her. The kindness with which she treated people. The room she left for spontaneity. We’ve lost a great one. ?♥️ https://t.co/vzMwhL0yic
— Mike Birbiglia (@birbigs) May 16, 2020
Fonte: ComingSoon.net