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Mike Leigh is one of Britain’s most significant filmmakers. He has garnered countless awards, including a Golden Palm (SECRETS & LIES, 1996), a Golden Lion (VERA DRAKE, 2004), and seven Academy Award nominations. His films aim to reflect human experience in all its contrariety and complexity. And they feel as lifelike as if life simply unfolded before his lens. However, his works are the result of intensive preparation: he develops characters and scenes over months before he starts on the screenplay. The screenwriter and director offers insight into his work at this ZFF Masters session.