Garrett Bradley

Garrett Bradley is an American filmmaker renowned for her diverse body of work encompassing short films, feature films, documentaries, and television. She is recognized for her unique approach, blending cinematic genres to delve into the broader sociopolitical implications embedded within the everyday moments of her subjects' lives.

Biography of Garrett Bradley

Garrett Bradley was born in 1986 in New York, USA, to abstract painters Suzanne McClelland and Peter Bradley. Her parents divorced when she was two years old. At the age of sixteen, Bradley created her debut film titled "Be-Bop Fidelity," wherein she interviewed each of her parents about art, their relationship with each other, and the reasons behind their divorce. This film earned her recognition, winning an award at the Bridge Film Festival hosted by her high school, the Brooklyn Friends School.

After completing her undergraduate studies in religion at Smith College in 2007, Bradley pursued a Master of Fine Arts degree in Directing at UCLA, graduating in 2012. She is also an alumna of the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture.

Garrett Bradley made her directorial debut with the feature-length film "Below Dreams," which premiered at the 2014 Tribeca Festival. The film chronicles the journeys of three individuals embarking on a reverse migration from north to south in search of a fresh start.

In 2017, Bradley co-founded Creative Council, an artist-led after-school program aimed at assisting students from public high schools in New Orleans in developing strong college portfolios and applications.

Her documentary feature "Time" was released in 2020 to critical acclaim, garnering over 57 award nominations and winning 20 times, including a nomination for an Oscar and a 2020 Peabody Award.

In 2021, Bradley directed the three-part miniseries "Naomi Osaka," which was released on Netflix. The series offers an intimate portrayal of professional tennis player Naomi Osaka during the challenging 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2022, Bradley held her inaugural exhibition with Lisson Gallery.

Garrett Bradley's Art Style

Bradley's multimedia creations intertwine overarching themes of oppression and conflict, with a significant focus on the dynamics of place and setting. Through a diverse array of moving-image projects blending documentary with fiction, and cinema with video art, Bradley's lens captures the essence of broader societal issues within the intricate details of everyday life. Her camera delves into her subjects' daily struggles and aspirations, grounding socio-political narratives in personal and tangible experiences.

Employing a collaborative and research-driven approach, Bradley draws inspiration from the real-life stories of her protagonists. Her films navigate the delicate balance between fact and fiction, embracing innovative methods of storytelling that challenge conventional distinctions between narrative and documentary cinema. With a keen eye for detail, Bradley meticulously examines the social, economic, and racial dynamics inherent in ordinary existence, conveying them with a lyrical and intimate touch on the screen.