British director Michael Apted, whose varied career ranged from dramas like “Coal Miner’s Daughter” and “Gorillas in the Mist” to the landmark “Up” documentary series, died Thursday, his publicist confirmed Friday. “Our hearts are heavy today as we mourn the passing of esteemed director, longtime DGA leader and my friend Michael Apted,” DGA President Thomas Schlamme said in a statement. “My assignment was to choose selections from the empowered class and the unempowered class and try to get some geographical variety,” Apted told The Times in 2013. A biopic of famed primate researcher Dian Fossey, Apted’s 1988 film “Gorillas in the Mist” earned five Oscar nominations, including a lead actress nod for Sigourney Weaver. AdvertisementElected to lead the Directors Guild in 2003, Apted steered the group through a period of tremendous change and upheaval in the film industry.

Source: Los Angeles Times January 08, 2021 21:43 UTC