The award-winning writer/director adapted and directed this film, which is based on Michael Ondaatje's Booker Prize-winning novel. Minghella earned recognition for his first film, "Truly, Madly, Deeply."

A Minnesota native, director/screenwriter Coen has a number of directorial credits and co-writing credits, together with his brother Ethan Coen. Their movies include "Blood Simple," "Raising Arizona" and "Barton Fink," which won him best director honors at Cannes in 1991.

The Czech-born filmmaker is considered by many to be one of the most important contemporary directors. Forman has won two Academy Awards for Best Director: in 1975 for "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and in 1984 for "Amadeus." He became an American citizen in 1975.

British director Mike Leigh won the prestigious Golden Palm award for this film at the 1996 Cannes Film Festival. Cult favorites from the director include "Life is Sweet" and "Naked," which also won at Cannes three years ago.

An Australian native, this Emmy Award-winning director has directed films, television dramas, documentaries, as well as music videos and commercials. His documentary series "The Great Wall of Iron" won the 1989 Peabody Award for Best Documentary Series.