“The making of my films is a journey of discovery - I discover what the film is, really. But obviously, one always has a conception, an idea. In this case, I would more accurately say that I had a feeling”

“my passion is movies, is film, is cinema, is the big screen. It's partly working to the highest quality that's possible - that's what films are about. It's partly just the experience that you've all had this evening. But it's also the international currency - it's wonderful to make a film that participates in this world language, this universal sharing of movies”.

(Both of these quotes are from the interview with Sarfraz Manzoor)

Mike Leigh is the grandchild of Eastern European Jewish immigrants.  He grew up poor in Salford, which is in the Manchester area, but early on decided he wanted a career in film.  He won a scholarship to RADA where he studied theatre, in which he worked initially - first as an actor and then as director and writer.  He then moved to TV but eventually to film.  He often works with the same actors and has used the same cinematographer for many years.  His film-making process is very well-known - it involves a lengthy workshop/rehearsal process with his cast with much improvisation and exploration of back stories.

There are very many links to Mike Leigh interviews, analyses, etc. on the web - the few on the right are a small selection.

He was married for many years (1973-2001) to the actress Alison Steadman with whom he has two sons.  They are now divorced.