Kristian Levring, a renowned Danish film director, has established a distinctive body of work that showcases his versatility and artistic flair. His filmography spans a wide range of genres, including thrillers, period dramas, Shakespearean re-imaginings, and Westerns, each showcasing his unique visual style and eclectic approach.
Born in 1957 in Copenhagen, Denmark, Levring began his career in the film industry by graduating from the National Danish Film School in 1984 as an editor. However, he soon shifted his focus to directing and went on to have a successful career in directing TV commercials. In 1995, Levring co-founded the influential Dogme95 movement, along with Lars Von Trier, Soren Kragh-Jacobsen, and Thomas Vinterberg. The group's innovative approach to filmmaking earned them a European Film Award for Outstanding European Achievement in World Cinema in 2008.
Levring's own Dogme film, The King Is Alive, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2000 and received critical acclaim. The film starred Jennifer Jason Leigh, Janet McTeer, and Romane Bohringer. Two years later, The Intended, co-written with Janet McTeer, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, featuring McTeer alongside Academy Award winners Olympia Dukakis and Brenda Fricker.
After a brief hiatus from directing, Levring returned to the helm in 2005 with the highly acclaimed Fear Me Not, a Danish-language psychological drama starring Ulrich Thomsen. The film received widespread recognition, being selected for the San Sebastian International Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival.
In 2013, Levring co-wrote and directed his first Western, The Salvation, starring Mads Mikkelsen, Eva Green, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Jonathan Pryce, and Eric Cantona. The film premiered at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival and received critical acclaim worldwide.
Currently residing in Hampstead, North London, Levring is represented worldwide by Frank Wuliger at The Gersh Agency, Los Angeles.
