Phil Joanou

Phil Joanou (born November 20, 1961) is an American director of film, music videos, and television programs. He is known for his collaborations with the rock band U2, for whom he directed music videos and their 1988 documentary film Rattle and Hum. Biography Joanou was born in La Cañada Flintridge, California, and began making short films on super-8 when he was 14 years old. Joanou studied at UCLA's theater department and then moved on to USC's cinema program. His award winning student film Last Chance Dance caught the eye of Steven Spielberg who hired him to direct two Amazing Stories episodes, "Santa '85" and "The Doll", when he was 23 years old. John Lithgow won a best actor Emmy Award for his role in "The Doll" and memorably said in his acceptance speech, "I'd like to thank the director, Phil Joanou -- remember that name." Spielberg then offered Joanou his first feature film, Three O'Clock High. Filmed in Ogden, Utah, on a five-million-dollar budget, the black comedy was released in 1987. Although the film was not a box-office success in its initial run, it went on to become a cult favorite with a huge following. While in post-production on Three O'Clock High, Joanou was introduced to the Irish rock band U2, and after a series of discussions, they asked him to direct their 1988 film Rattle and Hum. The film chronicled the band's Joshua Tree Tour as they moved across the United States at the end of 1987. Joanou operated the camera for the documentary portion of the shoot and edited over one million feet of film into the final movie. The film divided critics upon release; it premiered in five cities: Dublin, London, Madrid, New York and Los Angeles in a one week period. Joanou's collaboration with U2 continued on for over twenty years with the director shooting nine music videos for the band as well as a documentary ("40 Cents a Day") that covered Bono's journey throughout Africa for One and Project Red. His other collaborations with the band include: "Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses" -- "If God Will Send His Angeles" -- "Merry Christmas, Baby Please Come Home" -- "One Tree Hill" -- "When Love Comes to Town" -- "All Because of You" and "Sometimes You Can't Make it on Your Own". Joanou also collaborated with Tom Petty on two music videos. The first, "You Don't Know How it Feels" won the MTV award for best rock video and the second, "Walls (circus version)" was a part of the "She's the One" soundtrack.