French-Canadian filmmaker Xavier Dolan has racked up an impressive catalog of work already at age 28. Born in Quebec, Canada he began writing and directing films in the mid 2000s. His first film, I Killed My Mother (2009), received critical acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival. His other films such as Laurence Anyways (2012) and Mommy (2014) not only have killer soundtracks but also boast brilliant art direction and cinematography.

Cinematographer André Turpin makes use of obscure camera angles to convey mood in Mommy. His shot selections are unique and effective, placing the audience within the mind-frame of the troubled protagonist, whom you can’t help but feel empathy for, even on his slow descend of self-destruction. Tracks such as Colorblind by the Counting Crows and Wonderwall by Oasis have become trite within the film world, but they somehow work here.

Laurence Anyways is another gem that I revisit often. The story takes place in the ten year time span of a transgender woman’s life while she tries to maintain her career and relationship with her live-in girlfriend. Dolan’s sensitivity and eye for detail when it comes to this subject are impeccable. You can tell he not only wants to tell this story but also truly cares about representation for the community, even if it evokes radical reactions.

His latest film, The Death and Life of John F. Donovan, has a release date for sometime next year. The plot centers around the death of an American TV star and with a star-studded cast including Natalie Portman, Jessica Chastain, Kathy Bates, and Susan Sarandon, it will surely mark the peak of Dolan’s career.