Mike Leigh, 1992 (photo)

Mike Leigh, (born 1943 ) Acclaimed British playwright, scriptwriter and director of film, television and theatre. Much of his work is based on improvisation and deals satirically with the conflicts and hypocrisies of family life. His most notable works include Abigail's Party (1977), Naked (1993), Secrets & Lies (1996), Vera Drake (2004), the Gilbert and Sullivan biopic Topsy-Turvy (1999), All or Nothing (2002) and Grief (2011). His biopic of J.M.W. Turner will come out in 2014. He has won numerous awards and was made an OBE for services to literature.