Olly Blackburn

Blackburn was born in London, England.{{cite news|work=indieWire|publisher=SnagFilms|title=Park City '08 Interview – "Donkey Punch" director Olly Blackburn|date=7 January 2008|url=http://www.indiewire.com/article/park_city_08_interview_donkey_punch_director_olly_blackburn|access-date=23 February 2012|archive-date=4 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204112914/http://www.indiewire.com/article/park_city_08_interview_donkey_punch_director_olly_blackburn|url-status=live}} In 1982 Blackburn acted in the short comedy film A Shocking Accident directed by James Scott, based on a short story of the same name by Graham Greene.{{cite video | people =James Scott; based on the short story by Graham Greene | title =A Shocking Accident | title-link =A Shocking Accident | medium =Film production | publisher =Columbia-EMI-Warner | location =United Kingdom | date =1982 }} The film won an Academy Award in 1983 for Best Short Subject.{{cite book|title=Producing and Directing the Short Film and Video|url=https://archive.org/details/producingdirecti00irvi|url-access=limited|page=[https://archive.org/details/producingdirecti00irvi/page/n358 328]|year=2006|last1=Irving|first1=David K.|first2=Peter W.|last2=Rea|publisher=Focal Press|isbn=0-240-80735-9}}

Blackburn received a degree from Oxford University in 1993; he focused on history.{{cite news|work=Washington City Paper|publisher=Creative Loafing|first=Tricia|last=Olszewski|url=http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2009/02/13/interview-with-donkey-punch-director-olly-blackburn/|date=13 February 2009|access-date=23 February 2012|title=Interview With Donkey Punch Director Olly Blackburn|archive-date=25 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225004717/http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2009/02/13/interview-with-donkey-punch-director-olly-blackburn/|url-status=live}} He subsequently worked in journalism. Blackburn won a Fulbright Scholarship, and studied television and film as a graduate student at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.{{cite news|title=About Olly|url=http://www.ollyblackburn.com/aboutolly.html|work=Olly Blackburn official website|publisher=ollyblackburn.com|year=2012|first=Oliver|last=Blackburn|access-date=23 February 2012|archive-date=20 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220121744/http://www.ollyblackburn.com/aboutolly.html|url-status=dead}} While at NYU, Blackburn created a short film titled Swallowed; this work was recognised with the 1996 Martin Scorsese Post-Production Award.{{cite news|url=http://unitedagents.co.uk/olly-blackburn|title=Olly Blackburn|work=United Agents|publisher=unitedagents.co.uk|year=2012|access-date=23 February 2012|archive-date=11 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111072515/http://unitedagents.co.uk/olly-blackburn|url-status=live}} In an interview with IndieLondon, Blackburn stated his role models include Sam Peckinpah and Michael Powell. While living in New York City, Blackburn and his co-writer for Donkey Punch, David Bloom, stayed in an apartment together for one year.{{cite news|work=Film4|publisher=Channel Four Television Corporation|url=http://www.film4.com/features/article/olly-blackburn-and-david-bloom-on-donkey-punch|access-date=23 February 2012|title=Olly Blackburn and David Bloom on Donkey Punch|year=2008|archive-date=7 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107202346/https://www.channel4.com/channel/film4|url-status=live}} Bloom had also been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study in the United States. In 2009, Blackburn resided in South London.

Prior to his work as a film director, Blackburn directed commercials and music videos.{{cite news|work=The Skinny|location=Scotland|url=http://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/features/44237-director_olly_blackburn_talks_donkey_punch|publisher=Radge Media|date=10 November 2008|access-date=23 February 2012|title=Director Olly Blackburn talks Donkey Punch|first=Michael|last=Gillespie|archive-date=15 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215014829/http://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/features/44237-director_olly_blackburn_talks_donkey_punch|url-status=live}} He worked on television productions at British film production company Warp X, alongside the company's founder, Robin Gutch.

Blackburn served as Second Unit Director on the film Reverb, written and directed by Eitan Arrusi, and produced by Frank Mannion.{{cite video | people =Eitan Arrusi | title =Reverb | medium =Film production | publisher =Frank Mannion (producer); Reverb Productions, Swipe Films | location =United Kingdom | date =2008 }} Reverb stars Leo Gregory, Eva Birthistle, Margo Stilley, Luke de Woolfson, Stephen Lord, and Neil Newbon.{{cite news|publisher=Rovi Corp|work=AllRovi|title=Reverb|url=http://www.allmovie.com/movie/reverb-v349453|access-date=23 February 2012|year=2008|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305105858/http://www.allmovie.com/movie/reverb-v349453|url-status=live}} Anton Bitel wrote in Projected Figures that the film "expertly builds the tension from initial disquiet to final outright pandemonium, leaving it for the most part to his atmospheric location and to some jarring jump cuts to disorient the viewer, and resorting to blood and special effects only sparingly. The film's sound design is exquisite, as it must be – but special mention should also be made of the understated and convincingly serious performances of the cast, ensuring that there is not even the faintest whiff of cheese to match Reverb's palpably eerie vibe."{{Cite web|url = https://projectedfigures.com/2019/07/24/reverb-2007/|title = Reverb (2007)|date = 24 July 2019|access-date = 15 September 2020|archive-date = 19 September 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200919064346/https://projectedfigures.com/2019/07/24/reverb-2007/|url-status = live}} The Guardian noted, "In the end, this looks like just another crass, unimaginative and heavy-handed British horror."{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/mar/06/reverb-film-review|first=Peter|last=Bradshaw|title=Film review: Reverb|date=5 March 2009|work=The Guardian|access-date=23 February 2012|archive-date=31 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531233758/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/mar/06/reverb-film-review|url-status=live}} A review in The Daily Telegraph commented, "Eitan Arrusi's movie appears to have been shot through dirty glass and edited in a blender – it may drive you mad."{{cite news|work=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/4943791/Film-reviews-Surveillance-Reverb-Flame-and-Citron.html|first=Tim|last=Robey|date=5 March 2009|access-date=23 February 2012|title=Film reviews: Surveillance, Reverb, Flame and Citron|archive-date=28 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100928052200/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/4943791/Film-reviews-Surveillance-Reverb-Flame-and-Citron.html|url-status=live}} Total Film observed, "Hidden sounds lead to haunted rooms and tedious occult mythology".{{cite news|work=Total Film|first=Rosie|last=Fletcher|date=24 February 2009|url=http://www.totalfilm.com/reviews/cinema/reverb|title=Reverb review|access-date=23 February 2012|publisher=Future Publishing Limited|archive-date=31 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531144127/http://www.totalfilm.com/reviews/cinema/reverb|url-status=live}}

Blackburn directed the 2008 film Donkey Punch, which he co-wrote with David Bloom.{{cite news|title=Murder most torrid|work=The Times|first=Kevin|last=Maher|date=15 July 2008|page=15}} His total budget for the film was £1 million.{{cite news|work=Eye for Film|title=Giving British films some Punch|url=http://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/feature.php?id=545|first=Amber|last=Wilkinson|date=18 July 2008|access-date=23 February 2012|publisher=eyeforfilm.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206123950/http://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/feature.php?id=545|archive-date=6 December 2008|url-status=dead}} Blackburn's production team went through a casting process which took seven months; the film stars Nichola Burley, Tom Burke, Jaime Winstone and Julian Morris.{{cite video | people =Oliver Blackburn | title =Donkey Punch | medium =Film production | publisher =Warp X | location =United Kingdom | date =2008}}{{cite news|title=Donkey punch (DVD video, 2009)|year=2009|work=WorldCat|publisher=Online Computer Library Center|oclc = 317504366}} He shot the film in South Africa, over 24 days.{{cite news|work=Filmmaker Magazine|title="Donkey Punch" co-writer-director, Olly Blackburn|first=Jason|last=Guerrasio|date=15 January 2008|access-date=23 February 2012|url=http://www.filmmakermagazine.com/news/2008/01/donkey-punch-co-writer-director-olly-blackburn/|publisher=Independent Feature Project|archive-date=7 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107202349/https://filmmakermagazine.com/466-donkey-punch-co-writer-director-olly-blackburn/|url-status=live}} Film shooting for Donkey Punch began in March 2007;{{cite news|work=Edinburgh International Film Festival|publisher=edfilmfest.org.uk|url=http://www.edfilmfest.org.uk/news/2008/06/self-portrait-olly-blackburn|first=Olly|last=Blackburn|title=News – Self portrait: Olly Blackburn|date=20 June 2008|access-date=23 February 2012|archive-date=2 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202094451/http://www.edfilmfest.org.uk/news/2008/06/self-portrait-olly-blackburn|url-status=live}} during production Blackburn dealt with actors afflicted by hypothermia and tidal surges on location.{{cite news|work=IndieLondon|title=Donkey Punch – Olly Blackburn interview|url=http://www.indielondon.co.uk/Film-Review/donkey-punch-olly-blackburn-interview|publisher=indielondon.co.uk|access-date=23 February 2012|year=2008|archive-date=15 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215012309/http://www.indielondon.co.uk/Film-Review/donkey-punch-olly-blackburn-interview|url-status=live}} In an interview with Total Film, Blackburn commented, "I think Donkey Punch is an extreme thriller or an extreme reality-based thriller. The whole point of the film is it's grounded in reality."{{cite news|title=Exclusive interview with Oliver Blackburn |work=Total Film |url=http://www.totalfilm.com/trailers/donkey-punch-exclusive-interview-with-oliver-blackburn |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121210204319/http://www.totalfilm.com/trailers/donkey-punch-exclusive-interview-with-oliver-blackburn |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 December 2012 |year=2011 |publisher=Future Publishing Limited |access-date=23 February 2012 }} Blackburn wrote that he made Donkey Punch, "to try to push the genre." Donkey Punch received mixed reviews; the film obtained a rating of 50% based on 51 reviews at Rotten Tomatoes,{{cite news|work=Rotten Tomatoes|title=Donkey Punch|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/donkey_punch/|year=2012|access-date=23 February 2012|archive-date=14 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314214932/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/donkey_punch/|url-status=live}} and a score of 43 out of 100 at Metacritic.{{cite news|work=Metacritic|url=http://www.metacritic.com/movie/donkey-punch|title=Donkey Punch|year=2012|access-date=23 February 2012|archive-date=3 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503045813/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/donkey-punch|url-status=live}} The Philadelphia Inquirer compared Blackburn's work to films including filmmaker Peter Berg's Very Bad Things and director Philip Noyce's Dead Calm, and wrote, "Donkey Punch offers a gripping mix of sexual heat and nasty menace."{{cite news|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|url=http://articles.philly.com/2009-02-06/entertainment/24984004_1_olly-blackburn-final-act-galley|title=Donkey Punch|date=6 February 2009|access-date=23 February 2012|first=Steven|last=Rea|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303210409/http://articles.philly.com/2009-02-06/entertainment/24984004_1_olly-blackburn-final-act-galley|url-status=dead}} The Los Angeles Times additionally compared Blackburn's work to Dead Calm as well as director Roman Polanski's Knife in the Water, and concluded, Donkey Punch isn't without a certain power as it gleefully turns its careless hedonists into caged, paranoid rats."{{cite news|work=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-jan-23-et-donkey23-story.html|first=Robert|last=Abele|date=23 January 2009|access-date=23 February 2012|title='Donkey Punch' is a cautionary tale for wild girls set|archive-date=21 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221173811/http://articles.latimes.com/2009/jan/23/entertainment/et-donkey23|url-status=live}} In The Toronto Star, Peter Howell wrote that "Blackburn knows how to build and maintain suspense without resorting to gratuitous gore. Fans of horror and thriller films should put Donkey Punch on their must-see list." In the NY Press Eric Kohn wrote, "Such a unique thrill. Director Blackburn develops the scenario with remarkably shrewd finesse".{{cite news|url=http://nypress.com/donkey-punch-butt-it-hurts/|first=Eric|last=Kohn|title=Film review: Donkey Punch|date=21 January 2009|work=NY Press|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203012148/http://nypress.com/donkey-punch-butt-it-hurts/|access-date=21 September 2020|archive-date=3 February 2014}}{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2009/04/14/donkey_punch.html|first=Peter|last=Howell|title=Film review: Donkey Punch|date=14 April 2009|work=The Toronto Star|access-date=21 September 2020|archive-date=17 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917003917/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2009/04/14/donkey_punch.html|url-status=live}} while Ted Fry commented in The Seattle Times that "'Donkey Punch' packs a magnetic jolt of fearsome intensity".{{cite news|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/movies/a-smart-donkey-takes-a-ride-on-the-dark-side/|first=Ted|last=Fry|title=Film review: Donkey Punch|date=12 February 2009|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=21 September 2020|archive-date=16 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916210103/https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/movies/a-smart-donkey-takes-a-ride-on-the-dark-side/|url-status=live}} The film was Blackburn's first work to be shown at the Sundance Film Festival,{{cite news|work=Bloody Disgusting|title=Interview Donkey Punch: Writer/Directory Olly Blackburn|author=Mr. Disgusting|url=http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/interview/441|access-date=23 February 2012|year=2011|publisher=Bloody-Disgusting LLC|archive-date=5 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205000142/http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/interview/441|url-status=live}} where it received a positive reception from the audience in attendance.

Blackburn served as writer on the film Vinyan, directed by Fabrice Du Welz. Vinyan stars Emmanuelle Béart, Rufus Sewell, and Julie Dreyfus.{{cite video | people =Fabrice Du Welz | title =Vinyan | medium =Film production | publisher =Wild Bunch Distribution, Sony Pictures Releasing | location =France | date =2008}}{{cite news|work=WorldCat|publisher=Online Computer Library Center|title=Vinyan (DVD video, 2009)|year=2009|oclc = 317504398}} Sky Movies likened Vinyan to Nicolas Roeg's two films Don't Look Now and Heart of Darkness;{{cite news|url=http://skymovies.sky.com/vinyan/review|work=SkyMovies.Sky.com|first=Tim|last=Evans|date=17 October 2009|title=Vinyan – Sky Movies HD|publisher=BSkyB: Sky Movies|access-date=23 February 2012|archive-date=31 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531162423/http://skymovies.sky.com/vinyan/review|url-status=live}} Blackburn interviewed Roeg in 2008 for Time Out London and noted, "Nic Roeg inspires me."{{cite news|url=http://www.timeout.com/film/features/show-feature/5148/olly-blackburn-meets-nic-roeg.html|title=Olly Blackburn meets Nic Roeg|work=Time Out London|first=Olly|last=Blackburn|date=9 July 2008|access-date=25 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006094204/http://www.timeout.com/film/features/show-feature/5148/olly-blackburn-meets-nic-roeg.html|archive-date=6 October 2012|url-status=dead}} This Is London characterised the film as, "a dark and pessimistic drama which goes slap-happily mad towards the end but keeps you watching all the same."{{cite news|work=This Is London|url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/film/review-23751748-parents-jungle-terror-in-vinyan.do|access-date=23 February 2012|first=Derek|last=Malcolm|date=2 October 2009|publisher=ES London Limited|title=Parents' jungle terror in Vinyan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091004234324/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/film/review-23751748-parents-jungle-terror-in-vinyan.do|archive-date=4 October 2009|url-status=dead}} Empire also compared the film to Nicolas Roeg's Don't Look Now, and concluded, "Horrific and harrowing but the narrative arc could leave the audience unmoved."{{cite news|work=Empire|url=http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=136569|title=Empire's Vinyan movie review|first=David|last=Parkinson|date=4 October 2009|access-date=23 February 2009|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924134854/http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=136569|url-status=live}}

In 2013 he directed Kristy{{Cite web|url = https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2027136/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1|title = Kristy|website = IMDb|date = 5 November 2015|access-date = 15 September 2020|archive-date = 12 November 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201112015810/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2027136/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1|url-status = live}} for The Weinstein Company produced by Jamie Patricof{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1364232/|title=Jamie Patricof|website=IMDb|access-date=15 September 2020|archive-date=3 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303035542/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1364232/|url-status=live}} Cory Sienaga{{Cite web|url = https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0797190/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cr8|title = Corey Sienega|website = IMDb|access-date = 15 September 2020|archive-date = 7 November 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211107202347/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0797190/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cr8|url-status = live}} David Kirschner{{Cite web|url = https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0456946/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cr4|title = David Kirschner|website = IMDb|access-date = 15 September 2020|archive-date = 7 November 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211107202355/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0456946/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cr4|url-status = live}} and Lynette Howell Taylor{{Cite web|url = https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1987578/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cr3|title = Lynette Howell Taylor|website = IMDb|access-date = 15 September 2020|archive-date = 7 November 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211107202401/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1987578/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cr3|url-status = live}} starring Haley Bennett and Lucas Till. The film premiered at the London Film Festival{{cite news|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/news-bfi/announcements/58th-bfi-london-film-festival-partnership-american-express|title=BFI London Film Festival: The 58th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express® announces full 2014 programme|date=4 September 2014|work=BFI Announcements|access-date=15 September 2020|archive-date=16 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916203814/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/news-bfi/announcements/58th-bfi-london-film-festival-partnership-american-express|url-status=live}} in 2014 where Anton Bitell writing in Sight & Sound noted that "This follow-up to Blackburn's Donkey Punch is beautifully shot, and sets its mostly familiar stalk-and-dash material within the context of contemporary online anomie and a broader debate about chance versus causality"{{cite news|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/sight-sound-magazine/comment/festivals/london-2014-cult-roundup-good-bad-ugly|first=Anton|last=Bitel|title=Film review: Kristy|date=22 October 2014|work=Sight & Sound|access-date=15 September 2020|archive-date=16 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916194501/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/sight-sound-magazine/comment/festivals/london-2014-cult-roundup-good-bad-ugly|url-status=live}} and in the New Statesman Ryan Gilbey noted its "pervasive sense of dread and a use of DIY tinfoil masks that will make it a perennial Hallowe'en party favourite to rank alongside Friday the 13th and Scream".{{cite news|url=https://www.newstatesman.com/film/2014/10/if-you-re-feeling-sinister-season-s-crop-halloween-horrors|first=Ryan|last=Gilbey|title=If you're feeling sinister: this season's crop of Halloween horrors|date=30 October 2014|work=New Statesman|access-date=21 October 2020|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026112424/https://www.newstatesman.com/film/2014/10/if-you-re-feeling-sinister-season-s-crop-halloween-horrors|url-status=live}} The film built a cult following with the horror website iHorror calling it "Oliver Blackburn's masterpiece"{{cite news|url=https://www.ihorror.com/olive-blackburn-unveils-masterpiece-london-film-festival-kristy/|first=Daniel|last=Hegarty|title=Film review: Kristy|date=20 October 2014|work=iHorror|access-date=21 September 2020|archive-date=16 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916220911/https://www.ihorror.com/olive-blackburn-unveils-masterpiece-london-film-festival-kristy/|url-status=live}} and orchestrating a grassroots fan campaign to have it released theatrically in the US{{Cite web|url=https://ihorror.com/horror-movie-kristy/ |date=2014 |title=Is 'Kristy' Being Released In America? |website=ihorror.com|access-date=28 July 2022}} while Grizzly Bomb asked "Could this be the next cult horror hit?".{{cite news|url=https://grizzlybomb.com/2014/10/19/kristy-next-cult-horror-hit/|first=Chris|last=Tansuche|title=Film review: Kristy|date=19 October 2014|work=Grizzly Bomb|access-date=15 September 2020|archive-date=16 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916221739/https://grizzlybomb.com/2014/10/19/kristy-next-cult-horror-hit/|url-status=live}} Since Kristy was released on Netflix in 2015 expanded its reputation as must-watch horror film recommended by sites as diverse as Bleeding Cool,{{cite news|url=https://bleedingcool.com/movies/10-unexpected-movies-to-watch-this-thanksgiving/|first=Jason|last=Henderson|title=Film roundup: 10 Unexpected Movies to Watch This Thanksgiving|date=28 November 2018|work=Bleeding Cool|access-date=21 September 2020|archive-date=16 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916180311/https://bleedingcool.com/movies/10-unexpected-movies-to-watch-this-thanksgiving/|url-status=live}} Bustle,{{cite news|url=https://www.bustle.com/p/21-horror-movies-on-netflix-you-should-never-ever-watch-alone-8206720|first=Olivia|last=Truffaut-Wong|title=Must-watch list: 21 Terrifying Horror Movies on Netflix You Should Never, Ever Watch Alone|date=24 March 2020|work=Bustle|access-date=15 September 2020|archive-date=16 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916200855/https://www.bustle.com/p/21-horror-movies-on-netflix-you-should-never-ever-watch-alone-8206720|url-status=live}} Screen Rant{{cite news|url=https://screenrant.com/thanksgiving-horror-movies-watch-online/|first=Jack|last=Wilhelmi|title=Must-watch list: Great Thanksgiving Horror Films|date=28 November 2019|work=Screen Rant|access-date=15 September 2020|archive-date=16 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916175746/https://screenrant.com/thanksgiving-horror-movies-watch-online/|url-status=live}} and Marieclaire.{{cite news|url=https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/g23459988/best-horror-movies-on-netflix/|first1=Adam|last1=Schubak|first2=Jenny|last2=Hollander|first3=Bianca|last3=Rodriguez|title=Must-watch list: The Best Horror Movies on Netflix|date=4 October 2019|work=Marie Claire|access-date=15 September 2020|archive-date=17 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917031222/https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/g23459988/best-horror-movies-on-netflix/|url-status=live}}

Olly Blackburn has also had a long-running career directing commercials, often in a visually poetic and comedic style in striking contrast to his dark, suspenseful feature films. Among his best-known commercials are Pampers Pooface{{cite news|url=https://www.adweek.com/creativity/babies-poop-faces-captured-glorious-slow-motion-award-winning-pampers-ad-165751/|first=David|last=Kiefaber|title=Awards review: Babies' Poop Faces Captured in Glorious Slow Motion in Award-Winning Pampers Ad|date=26 July 2015|work=Adweek|access-date=15 September 2020|archive-date=17 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917102259/https://www.adweek.com/creativity/babies-poop-faces-captured-glorious-slow-motion-award-winning-pampers-ad-165751/|url-status=live}} which won three Lions at the 2015 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity for casting, film craft and best in category,{{cite news|url=http://saatchi.co.uk/en-gb/news/cannes-lions-2015-saatchi-saatchi-london-win-a-silver-and-two-bronze-lions-for-pampers-pooface/|title=Saatchi press release|date=27 June 2015|work=Saatchi & Saatchi|access-date=15 September 2020|archive-date=17 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917120652/http://saatchi.co.uk/en-gb/news/cannes-lions-2015-saatchi-saatchi-london-win-a-silver-and-two-bronze-lions-for-pampers-pooface/|url-status=live}} a Clio,{{cite news|url=https://clios.com/awards/winner/film/procter-gamble/poo-face-986|title=Award Announcement|work=Clio Awards|access-date=15 September 2020|archive-date=16 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916130116/https://clios.com/awards/winner/film/procter-gamble/poo-face-986|url-status=live}} Epica Gold and Silver awards{{cite news|url=http://www.marklives.com/2015/11/all-the-epica-awards-winners-2015/|first=Mark|last=Lives|title=Epica Awards|date=20 November 2015|work=Marklives|access-date=22 September 2020|archive-date=8 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608201605/http://www.marklives.com/2015/11/all-the-epica-awards-winners-2015/|url-status=live}} and 5 Kinsale Sharks.{{cite news|url=https://kinsalesharks2015.awardsengine.com/winners/?id_medium=6&view=icons&range=w|title=2015 KINSALE SHARK AWARDS WINNERS|work=Kinsale Shark Awards|access-date=22 September 2020|archive-date=1 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001223824/https://kinsalesharks2015.awardsengine.com/winners/?id_medium=6&view=icons&range=w|url-status=live}} The Daily Mirror found it hilarious,{{cite news|last=Wellman|first=Alex|date=6 July 2015|title=Watch hilarious Pampers 'poo face' advert showing babies gurning as they answer the call of nature|work=Daily Mirror|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/watch-hilarious-pampers-poo-face-6015853|access-date=21 October 2020|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026045153/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/watch-hilarious-pampers-poo-face-6015853|url-status=live}} The Huffington Post called it "epic"{{cite news|last=Bologna|first=Caroline|date=6 December 2017|title=Epic Slo-Mo Ad Features Babies' Adorable 'Poo Faces'|work=Huffpost|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pampers-poo-face-ad_n_7737168|access-date=21 October 2020|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026130258/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pampers-poo-face-ad_n_7737168|url-status=live}} and Stephanie Webber wrote in US Magazine "Pampers is airing perhaps its best commercial yet, and it's not even Super Bowl season."{{cite news|last=Webber|first=Stephanie|date=9 July 2015|title=Pampers Commercial Shows Babies' Wide-Eyed Poo Faces in Slow Motion|work=US Magazine|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/pampers-commercial-shows-babies-wide-eyed-poo-faces-in-slow-motion-201597/|access-date=21 October 2020|archive-date=23 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023045726/https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/pampers-commercial-shows-babies-wide-eyed-poo-faces-in-slow-motion-201597/|url-status=live}} His spots for BBC Local Radio Show Your Love won eight London International Awards{{cite news|url=https://2010.liaentries.com/winners/?id_medium=6&view=icons&range=w|title=London International Awards 2010 Winners|date=2010|work=London International Awards|access-date=16 September 2020|archive-date=9 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009033557/http://2010.liaentries.com/winners/?id_medium=6&view=icons&range=w|url-status=live}} and a Yellow Pencil at the 2011 D&AD Awards,{{Cite web|url=https://www.dandad.org/awards/professional/2010/tv-cinema-crafts/17840/show-your-love/|title=Show Your Love | RKCR/Y&R | BBC | D&AD Awards 2010 Pencil Winner | Use of Music | D&AD|access-date=15 September 2020|archive-date=16 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916130108/https://www.dandad.org/awards/professional/2010/tv-cinema-crafts/17840/show-your-love/|url-status=live}} in 2012 Erbitux Hope won a Cannes Health Silver Lion{{Cite web|url=https://www.pm360online.com/inaugural-lions-health-awards-best-global-healthcare-communicators/|title=Inaugural Lions Health Awards Best Global Healthcare Communicators | PM360|date=7 February 2014 |access-date=15 September 2020|archive-date=17 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917053150/https://www.pm360online.com/inaugural-lions-health-awards-best-global-healthcare-communicators/|url-status=live}} and a Gold Healthcare Clio.{{Cite web|url=http://www.pmlive.com/pharma_news/mccann_health_on_a_high_after_clio_healthcare_awards_451301|title=McCann Health on a high after Clio Healthcare Awards|date=22 November 2012|access-date=15 September 2020|archive-date=1 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150401075936/http://www.pmlive.com/pharma_news/mccann_health_on_a_high_after_clio_healthcare_awards_451301|url-status=live}} He has twice been selected for the APA collection for BBC Local Radio in 2010 and for Pooface in 2015.{{Cite web|url=https://www.adforum.com/award-organization/6651149/showcase/winners|title = The APA Show Winners|website=Adforum.com}} He was also nominated as Best New Director for his work with the band Gomez on their song "78 Stone Wobble"{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWThwfAfLf0 |title=Gomez - 78 Stone Wobble - YouTube |website=YouTube |date=24 October 2009 |access-date=15 September 2020 |archive-date=18 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918224623/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWThwfAfLf0 |url-status=live }} at the 1999 CAD music video awards and the CFP Young Directors award at Cannes in 1999 for his 'Anonymous Learners' commercial for BBC Education. He has spoken often about his style and the craft of commercials in publications like The Beak Street Bugle{{Cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/beakstreetbugle |title=Archived copy |website=Facebook |access-date=15 September 2020 |archive-date=25 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925004741/https://www.facebook.com/beakstreetbugle |url-status=live }} and Little Black Book{{cite news|last=Swinton|first=Laura|date=2016|title=5 Minutes with... Olly Blackburn|work=Little Black Book|url=https://www.lbbonline.com/news/5-minutes-with-olly-blackburn|access-date=15 September 2020|archive-date=16 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916103434/https://www.lbbonline.com/news/5-minutes-with-olly-blackburn|url-status=live}} where he commented on making Pooface that "we managed to create a piece of work that reflected what we all wanted to achieve: basically the awesome, mind-blowing experience of what it's like to take a shit for the first time. I wish Sigmund Freud could have seen it".

Blackburn is a director of TV drama, directing episodes of Glue, created by Jack Thorne and produced by Eleven Films,{{Cite web |url=http://www.elevenfilm.com/ |title=Home {{!}} Eleven |access-date=15 September 2020 |archive-date=29 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029204248/http://www.elevenfilm.com/ |url-status=live }} the Endeavour season finale "Coda",{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4839466/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2|title = Coda|website = IMDb|date = 24 January 2016}} Victoria created by Daisy Goodwin and StartUp.{{Cite web|url = https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5028002/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1|title = StartUp|website = IMDb|date = 6 September 2016|access-date = 15 September 2020|archive-date = 24 September 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200924063244/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5028002/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1|url-status = live}} with Martin Freeman and Ron Perlman. His work on The Widow created by Two Brothers Pictures starring Kate Beckinsale led Euan Ferguson in The Observer to comment that in "The Widow, the second, far better, half of episodes I now see were directed by Olly Blackburn, has been a grower, and ultimately rewarding... Alex Kingston and in particular Babs Olusanmokun, as the filthy General Azikiwe, drunk and surrounded by ghosts, were nuanced, conflicted.".{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/may/05/game-of-thrones-battle-of-winterfell-review-curry-house-kid-great-art-picasso-real-csi-planet-child|first=Euan|last=Ferguson|title=The week in TV|date=5 May 2019|work=The Observer|access-date=21 September 2020|archive-date=7 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107233731/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/may/05/game-of-thrones-battle-of-winterfell-review-curry-house-kid-great-art-picasso-real-csi-planet-child|url-status=live}} In 2019 he directed the first three episodes and established the world of Sanditon adapted by Andrew Davies from the unfinished novel by Jane Austen. Kathryn Van Arendonk described it in Vulture as "an exquisite production, both beautiful and thoughtful. It's adapted in ways that feel smart and human, while also pumping some helpful friction into the story".{{cite news|url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/01/sanditon-review-jane-austen-pbs-masterpiece.html|first=Kathryn|last=Van Arendonk|title=Sanditon Delivers Everything You'd Expect of a Jane Austen Adaptation – Until it Doesn't|date=9 January 2020|work=Vulture|access-date=21 September 2020|archive-date=5 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200905140734/https://www.vulture.com/2020/01/sanditon-review-jane-austen-pbs-masterpiece.html|url-status=live}} Writing in Indiewire Ann Donahue called it "tart and political, gorgeous and honest"{{cite news|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2020/01/sanditon-review-masterpiece-jane-austen-adaptation-pbs-1202201587/|first=Ann|last=Donahue|title='Sanditon' Review: Masterpiece's Jane Austen Adaptation on PBS Is Perfect Escapist Fare|date=10 January 2020|work=Indiewire|access-date=21 September 2020|archive-date=25 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125014146/https://www.indiewire.com/2020/01/sanditon-review-masterpiece-jane-austen-adaptation-pbs-1202201587/|url-status=live}} while Deciders Meghan O'Keeffe pointed out Sanditon's modernity, "Sanditon is a new kind of Jane Austen adaptation. Oozing with sex, concerned with racial and class politics, and full of scheming anti-heroines who will do whatever it takes to get to the top, it simultaneously throws away the quaint, courtly image of Austen's work while embracing the bitter acid of her pen".{{cite news|last=O'Keeffe|first=Meghan|date=3 January 2020|title='Sanditon' Brings a Welcome Jolt of Sex to Jane Austen|work=Decider|url=https://decider.com/2020/01/03/sanditon-on-pbs-review/|access-date=15 September 2020|archive-date=29 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829091758/https://decider.com/2020/01/03/sanditon-on-pbs-review/|url-status=live}} In 2022 he directed the second half of Dangerous Liaisons created by Harriet Warner based on Christopher Hampton's award-winning play and film, adapted from the novel by Choderlos de Laclos. His stylish, performance-driven episodes were well received with Mary Littlejohn giving five stars in TVFanatic, writing that "Blackburn loves to play with the camera and uses techniques to significant, dramatic effect" a hunt sequence structured in a single three-and-a-half-minute take "was a cinematic tour de force"{{cite news|last=Littlejohn|first=Mary|date=4 December 2022|title=Dangerous Liaisons Review: The World Should Be Afraid Of Us//|work=TVFanatic|url=https://www.tvfanatic.com/2022/12/dangerous-liaisons-season-1-episode-5-review-the-world-should-be///|access-date=10 March 2023}} In another five star review, Vulture{{'}}s Alice Burton said "I am obsessed with The Hunting Scene.".{{cite news|last=Littlejohn|first=Mary|date=4 December 2022|title=Dangerous Liaisons: Who's Sexing the Queen?//|work=Vulture|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/dangerous-liaisons-recap-season-one-episode-5-the-world-should-be-afraid-of-us.html///|access-date=10 March 2023}} Blackburn has shared his thoughts on filming historical adaptations like Sanditon in The Atlantic: "'Viewers in the 21st century want—demand—to see a version of the past that stresses its similarities with the present day'... They want to see Austen rescued from tweeness and coziness. Today's comparison for the turmoil in Sanditon, then, would be to Brexit, "with huge economic change dislocating people," he added. In the new settlement described by Austen, "there is huge economic unease, particularly among the upper class, about industrial change". For Blackburn, every adaptation is inevitably a reflection of its adapters, and the time in which it is made. "You can't take the observer out of the equation," he said. At the same time, though: "Sex, pain, rage, envy ... These things are timeless."{{cite news|last=Lewis|first=Helen|date=4 October 2019|title=Restoring the Sex and Rage to Jane Austen|work=The Atlantic|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2019/10/restoring-sex-and-rage-jane-austen/599263/|access-date=21 October 2020|archive-date=20 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020123928/https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2019/10/restoring-sex-and-rage-jane-austen/599263/|url-status=live}}

In 2022 Blackburn co-founded musikmotion Labs in collaboration with The University of North Texas, a platform for exploring the intersection between music and moving image across all media through in-depth interviews with leading artists and composers. Participants include the Academy Award-winning composers Anne Dudley and Michael Giacchino, Goya Award-winner Zeltia Montes, cross-media artist, composer and performer Ben Frost, Daniel Pemberton and Tyler Bates.

• List of films at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival
• List of horror films of 2007
• List of thriller films of the 2000s
• Warp Films
• Warp X

{{reflist}}

• {{cite news|work=Film4|publisher=Channel Four Television Corporation|url=http://www.film4.com/features/article/olly-blackburn-and-david-bloom-on-donkey-punch|access-date=23 February 2012|title=Olly Blackburn and David Bloom on Donkey Punch|year=2008}}
• {{cite news|work=Edinburgh International Film Festival|publisher=edfilmfest.org.uk|url=http://www.edfilmfest.org.uk/news/2008/06/self-portrait-olly-blackburn|first=Olly|last=Blackburn|title=News – Self portrait: Olly Blackburn|date=20 June 2008|access-date=23 February 2012}}
• {{cite news|url=http://www.timeout.com/film/features/show-feature/5148/olly-blackburn-meets-nic-roeg.html|title=Olly Blackburn meets Nic Roeg|work=Time Out London|first=Olly|last=Blackburn|date=9 July 2008|access-date=23 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006094204/http://www.timeout.com/film/features/show-feature/5148/olly-blackburn-meets-nic-roeg.html|archive-date=6 October 2012|url-status=dead}}
• {{cite news|work=Eye for Film|title=Giving British films some Punch|url=http://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/feature.php?id=545|first=Amber|last=Wilkinson|date=18 July 2008|access-date=23 February 2012|publisher=eyeforfilm.co.uk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206123950/http://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/feature.php?id=545|archive-date=6 December 2008|url-status=dead}}
• {{cite news|title=Exclusive interview with Oliver Blackburn |work=Total Film |url=http://www.totalfilm.com/trailers/donkey-punch-exclusive-interview-with-oliver-blackburn |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121210204319/http://www.totalfilm.com/trailers/donkey-punch-exclusive-interview-with-oliver-blackburn |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 December 2012 |year=2011 |access-date=23 February 2012 }}
• {{cite news|work=Bloody Disgusting|title=Interview Donkey Punch: Writer/Directory Olly Blackburn|author=Mr. Disgusting|url=http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/interview/441|access-date=23 February 2012|year=2011}}
• {{cite news|work=LBB Online|title=5 Minutes With Olly Blackburn|first=Laura|last=Swinton|url=https://www.lbbonline.com/news/5-minutes-with-olly-blackburn|year=2017}}

{{wikiquote|Olly Blackburn}}

{{commons category|Olly Blackburn}}

• {{Official website|1=http://www.ollyblackburn.com/aboutolly.html}}
• [http://unitedagents.co.uk/olly-blackburn Olly Blackburn] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111072515/http://unitedagents.co.uk/olly-blackburn |date=11 January 2012 }}, website at United Agents
• {{IMDb name|0085627}}
• {{Rotten Tomatoes person|1=oliver_blackburn|2=Oliver Blackburn}}
• https://www.musikmotion.com/ musikmotion official site

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Category:English film directors

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