Happy birthday, Neil Jordan! Irish filmmaker and writer born on this day

Irish director and writer Neil Jordan was born on February 25, 1950.

A massive happy 68th birthday to acclaimed Irish director and writer Neil Jordan who was born in Co. Sligo on this day, February 25, 1950. Jordan, who won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for “The Crying Game” in 1992, is best known for the movies “Michael Collins,” “Interview with the Vampire” and “The Company of Wolves.”

While his films can at times be quite violent (see “A Butcher Boy” and “Byzantium”), they often deal with issues of love and betrayal, with the Northern Ireland Troubles and with what could be described as unconventional sexual relationships. Jordan has also focused on a transgender character in two of his movies; “The Crying Games” played by Jaye Davidson and “Breakfast on Pluto” played by Irish actor Cillian Murphy.

Read more: Top ten movies to watch before you visit Ireland (VIDEOS)

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Cillian Murphy and Neil Jordan at the Dublin premier of "Breakfast on Pluto." Image: RollingNews.ie.

Jordan also works with many Irish actors and Stephen Rea, in particular, makes an appearance in almost anything he directs or writes. As well as Rea and Murphy, Jordan has also worked with Saoirse Ronan, Brendan Gleeson and Liam Neeson. He is currently working on a new film named “The Widow.”

Don’t see your favorite Neil Jordan movie here? Let us know what it is in the comments section, below.

“The Crying Game” (1992)

The controversial film that put Irish director/screenwriter Neil Jordan on the map. Set in rural Ireland and bustling London, IRA member Fergus (Stephen Rea) develops a friendship with his captive, Jody (Forest Whitaker), and the kidnapping goes horribly wrong.

“Breakfast on Pluto” (2005)

Starring Cillian Murphy long before “Peaky Blinders” fame, this comedy-drama follows transgender character Patrick "Kitten" Braden on the hunt for his long-lost mother.

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“Interview with the Vampire” (1994)

Adapted from the novel by Anna Rice and starring Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and a young Kirsten Dunst, “Interview with the Vampire”  chronicles the journey of three vampires framed in the form of a present-day interview.  

“The Butcher Boy” (1997)

Based on Patrick McCabe’s novel of the same name, Francie Brady retreats further and further into a violent fantasy world to escape reality, until his grasp on reality begins to loosen.

And, of course, “Michael Collins” (1996)

The story of the Irish rebel and legend portrayed by none other than Liam Neeson.

Don’t see your favorite Neil Jordan movie here, let us know what it is in the comments section, below.