Paul Greengrass embarked on his filmmaking journey with a super 8 camera he discovered in his art room during secondary school. The short movies he created using old dolls, artist dummies, and general art room clutter were animation horror films that showcased his creative vision.
After studying at Cambridge University, Greengrass attended the Granada Television School, where he spent the first decade of his career traveling to global hotspots to produce hard-hitting documentaries for the World in Action series. This experience significantly influenced his perspective on the Northern Ireland conflict.
In 1989, Greengrass directed his first fiction film, "Resurrected," which received an award in Berlin. He continued to develop his skills as a fiction filmmaker with a series of TV movies addressing social and political issues, including "Open Fire," a police scandal about a policeman accused of murder, and "The One That Got Away," a film about a military operation during the first Gulf War.
Greengrass's documentary style became increasingly dynamic and intense with each film. His 2002 documentary "Bloody Sunday" achieved international acclaim and won the first prize at the Berlin Festival. Following this success, Greengrass transitioned to the United States, directing "The Bourne Supremacy" starring Matt Damon.