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Alexander Payne
Director 65 years old

Alexander Payne

Omaha, Nebraska, USA

Alexander Payne (born February 10, 1961) is an Oscar-winning filmmaker whose work has helped define modern-day American cinema. He is best known for the features Election (1999), Sideways (2004), The Descendants (2011), About Schmidt (2002), Nebraska (2013) and The Holdovers... Read full bio →

Directed Films

Every film this person directed

9 titles
The Holdovers

The Holdovers

Alexander Payne 2023 2h 13m 7.8

A curmudgeonly instructor at a New England prep school is forced to remain on campus during Christmas break to babysit the handful of students with nowhere to go. Eventually, he forms an unlikely bond with one of them — a damaged, brainy troublemaker — and with the school’s head cook, who has just lost a son in Vietnam.

Downsizing

Downsizing

Alexander Payne 2017 2h 15m 5.4

A kindly occupational therapist undergoes a new procedure to be shrunken to four inches tall so that he and his wife can help save the planet and afford a nice lifestyle at the same time.

Nebraska

Nebraska

Alexander Payne 2013 1h 55m 7.4

An aging, booze-addled father makes the trip from Montana to Nebraska with his estranged son in order to claim a million dollar Publisher's Clearing House sweepstakes prize.

The Descendants

The Descendants

Alexander Payne 2011 1h 55m 7.2

A land baron tries to re-connect with his two daughters after his wife suffers a boating accident.

Paris, je t'aime

Paris, je t'aime

Gérard Depardieu, Wes Craven 2006 2h 7.3

Olivier Assayas, Gus Van Sant, Wes Craven and Alfonso Cuaron are among the 20 distinguished directors who contribute to this collection of 18 stories, each exploring a different aspect of Parisian life.

Sideways

Sideways

Alexander Payne 2004 2h 7m 7.2

Sideways follows two forty-something men, portrayed by Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church, who take a week-long road trip to the wine country of Santa Barbara. Supporting actresses Virginia Madsen and Sandra Oh, who play two local women who become romantically involved with the men, all received accolades for their performances in the film.

About Schmidt

About Schmidt

Alexander Payne 2002 2h 5m 7.4

Schmidt is a man his 60's. He is retiring and wants to start enjoying life, problem is: he has become a gromply old man.

Election

Election

Alexander Payne 1999 1h 43m 7.1

A high school teacher's personal life becomes complicated as he works with students during the school elections.

Citizen Ruth

Citizen Ruth

Alexander Payne 1996 1h 44m

An irresponsible, drug-addicted, recently impregnated woman finds herself in the middle of an abortion debate when both parties attempt to sway her to their respective sides.

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