British writer-director Andrew Haigh received the Silver Medallion at the 53rd Telluride Film Festival, coinciding with the world premiere of his new feature, “A Long Winter.” The award recognizes Haigh’s career built on exploring moments of personal crisis and finding grace within them. The film stars Fred Hechinger and Caitríona Balfe.
Haigh, who began his career as an assistant editor, described how the job provided both income and a crucial education in filmmaking. He focused on understanding the rhythms and storytelling techniques he wanted to employ in his own work. A career reel showcased scenes from his previous films, including “Weekend,” “Lean on Pete,” and the HBO series “Looking.”
Haigh emphasized the importance of connecting with actors before filming, stating, “Once I’ve fallen in love with them, you care about them and you want to show them for their brilliance.” He favors a rehearsal process centered on conversation and allowing performers to reveal “those flickers of vulnerability” that people often conceal.
His fascination with families falling apart stems from his own childhood experience. “My family fractured when I was very young. I was nine years old,” he said. “I’m fascinated by what people do when things crumble. Can we be resilient? Can we find a way to cope?” This interest in intimacy began with his 2009 docudrama “Greek Pete,” which explored themes of connection through the life of a London escort.
Haigh notes that sex in his films is often less about the act itself and more about self-discovery and connection. “It’s a way for you to understand yourself as much as it is connecting with somebody else,” he explained. After two decades, his distinctive style has made financing his intimate and unhurried films somewhat easier, as being “an Andrew Haigh film” has become a recognizable designation.
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