**Curtis Hanson (1945-2016) was an American film director and screenwriter, celebrated for his masterful command of diverse film genres, marked by intelligence and precision.**

He achieved success with thrillers such as *The Hand That Rocks the Cradle* (1992) and *The River Wild* (1994). His most acclaimed film is the neo-noir *L.A. Confidential* (1997), for which he won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, masterfully adapting the work of James Ellroy.

Among his significant works are also the comedy-drama *Wonder Boys* (2000) and the musical film *8 Mile* (2002). Hanson was known for his meticulous storytelling, profound character development, and his ability to explore the complexity of human nature and moral ambiguities.