Jörn Donner (born 11 October 1933) is a Finnish film director, producer, screenwriter, actor, and author. He is best known for directing the 1971 film Fanny and Alexander, which won four Academy Awards, including Best Foreign Language Film.
Donner was born in Helsinki, Finland. His father was a journalist and his mother was a teacher. He studied at the University of Helsinki and the University of Stockholm, before beginning his career in film with the independent Swedish production company Sandrews.
He made his directorial debut in 1964 with the Swedish drama film The New Land, which won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. Donner then directed the 1965 romantic comedy The Passion of Anna, which was his first international success. He followed this with the1966 Swedish drama A Sunday in September. Donner continued to direct films throughout the 1960s and 1970s, many of which were critically acclaimed.
In 1971, Donner directed the film Fanny and Alexander, which was a huge success and won four Academy Awards, including Best Foreign Language Film. The film tells the story of two children in a Swedish family and their lives during the early 20th century.
Donner continued to direct films throughout the 1980s and 1990s, many of which were critically acclaimed. In 1984, he directed the film Once Upon a Time in the North, which was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
In addition to directing films, Donner has also written several books, including his autobiography, I, Jörn Donner, which was published in 2001. He has also served as the chairman of the Finnish Film Foundation and the Swedish Film Institute.
Throughout his career, Donner has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Grand Prix of the Belgian Film Critics Association and the Nordic Council Film Prize. In 2000, he was awarded with the Order of the Finnish Lion and in 2003, he was inducted into the Swedish Film Hall of Fame.
Donner is considered to be one of the most important directors in Nordic film history. His films have been praised for their insight into human nature and his unique visual style. His work continues to influence filmmakers around the world and his legacy will continue for many years to come.
