Definition
Daniels is the collective professional name of the American filmmaking duo consisting of Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert. The pair are known for directing feature films, short films, and music videos, often characterized by surrealist humor and inventive visual storytelling.
Overview
The collaboration began in the early 2000s after Kwan and Scheinert met while attending Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. They first gained attention through experimental short films and a series of high‑concept music videos, most notably the viral 2013 video “Turn Down for What” by DJ Snake and Lil Jon. Their feature‑film debut, Swiss Army Man (2016), was praised for its unconventional narrative and earned them the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. In 2022, Daniels directed Everything Everywhere All at Once, a multiversal science‑fiction comedy‑drama that achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success. The film won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director(s), and Best Original Screenplay for Daniels, marking a historic first win for a directing team in the Best Director category.
Etymology/Origin
The name “Daniels” derives from the shared first name of the two collaborators, Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert. The plural form is used as a collective brand under which they release their joint works.
Characteristics
- Stylistic Approach: Daniels’ work blends absurdist comedy with imaginative visual effects, often exploring themes of identity, agency, and existentialism. Their storytelling frequently incorporates rapid editing, non‑linear structures, and surreal imagery.
- Collaborative Process: Both filmmakers contribute equally to writing, directing, and editing, maintaining a seamless partnership that blurs individual authorial distinctions.
- Notable Works:
- Turn Down for What (music video, 2013) – noted for its hyper‑energetic choreography and viral impact.
- Swiss Army Man (feature film, 2016) – starring Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe; recognized for its inventive use of a corpse as a multi‑purpose tool.
- Everything Everywhere All at Once (feature film, 2022) – starring Michelle Yeoh; acclaimed for its genre‑bending narrative and technical achievements.
- Awards and Recognition: In addition to Academy Awards, Daniels have received multiple BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Critics’ Choice nominations, as well as honors from film festivals such as Sundance and Cannes.
Related Topics
- American Independent Cinema – Daniels’ early work is often associated with the independent film movement.
- Surrealist Film – Their stylistic tendencies align with surrealist traditions in cinema.
- Multiversal Narrative – Everything Everywhere All at Once contributed to popular interest in multiverse storytelling within mainstream media.
- Music Video Direction – Their influence on the evolution of narrative‑driven music videos, particularly in the 2010s.