Tim Burton

Clinging to a perennial mythomania for comics and old B-movies, in his personal universe he mixes sources of inspiration with imagination in abundance, to produce films with impeccable visuals and a fascinating story. Like a fish in water, he feels like he is traveling between fiction and reality. And along the way he sows anti-heroes and misfits, who grow up with skin and heart to laugh and move at the same time. Perhaps the imaginary of this lanky-looking, shy and, not infrequently, dark storyteller named Tim Burton (Burbank, USA, 1958) is inexhaustible.

From an average family and the son of divorced parents, skinny Tim did not stand out in his studies. His talent would initially be expressed in drawing and as a scholarship animator at Disney. After convincing the company, he was able to shoot several shorts (Vincent ,Frankenweenie ). She was 26 years old and was about to open his particular Pandora’s box. The key was the actor Paul Reubens , who saw in the budding director the ideal one to adapt his popular television character inPee-Wee’s Big Adventure . This feature film marked the beginning of his fruitful relationship with Danny Elfman , a musician in all of his films. Then the comedian would comeBitelchus , with which he definitively came out of anonymity, bearer check included for higher-flying companies, such as Batman andBatman returns . The adventures of the bat man were a litmus test: he was dealing with established stars for the first time (that great Jack ‘Joker’ Nicholson…), he had a high budget and it was examined if his expertise behind the camera went further of the style exercise. The blockbuster was total and Burton dispelled doubts. This allowed him to propose a more personal project:Eduardo Scissorhands (1990) came from his soul. Under the helpless gaze of a mechanical boy, the director took us through an inverted fairy tale that exposed social hypocrisy. It is when Burton delves into broader considerations about the plot and meaning, reveals reality behind fantastic forms, finally reveals the quintessence of his cinema, and finds his fetish actor, Johnny Depp .

WithThe Nightmare Before Christmas , Burton returned to his animated origins by producing and writing a story that twisted to his liking – “it’s the movie I always wanted to make” – injecting black humor into an expressionist gallery of unforgettable characters. But for characters, the biopic freaksEd Wood . Here Burton projects endearing human profiles of great contrasts between enthusiasm and the grotesque reverse of him; a jewel in which the magician brings splendor to the springs of emotion and comedy.

Always in the loop with his cinephilia, Burton will pay homage to the science fiction movies of the 50s in the hilariousMars Attacks! . Later,Sleepy Hollow (1999) would lead us to a gloomy Gothic-looking atmosphere, although the narration would be less vibrant than desired. To forget, the mental bird that gave him with the unnecessary remake of Planet of the Apes . We still wonder why he got into such a mess. Perhaps because the little assignment brought him succulent dividends to make one of his own again, that is, a giant fable likeBig Fish (2003). Thus, the prodigal son returned to the surreal fold that we will soon enjoy withCharlie and the chocolate factory andCorpse Bride . Of course, she will need the approval of the viewer, her acceptance of all the licenses that her fantasy imposes. I’m sure she will. The reality is so prosaic…