The Daniels - Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert then and now
Daniel Kwan (Chinese: 關家永; pinyin: Guān jiāyǒng; Jyutping: gwaan1 gaa1wing5) and Daniel Scheinert, known collectively as the Daniels, are American film directors and screenwriters. They began their career as directors of music videos, including the popular DJ Snake & Lil Jon music video for the single "Turn Down for What" (2013).
They have since ventured into film, having written and directed the surreal comedy-drama Swiss Army Man (2016) and the science-fiction film Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022). The latter became A24's highest-grossing film of all time, and the Daniels were nominated for Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.
Careers
Kwan and Scheinert met while they were both studying film at Emerson College in Boston. They went to college with Sunita Mani, who starred with Kwan in the music video for "Turn Down for What", which they directed.
Since 2011, the duo have directed music videos for artists including Foster the People, The Shins and Tenacious D. In 2018, Kwan co-founded the group We Direct Music Videos (W.D.M.V.), described as "a global community of music video directors who are committed to sustainable directorial labor practices".
In 2016, the duo expanded to feature films, writing and directing Swiss Army Man, starring Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe, which received positive reviews, as well as the duo winning the Directing Award at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival.
Daniels have since accumulated several television directing credits, including Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens, Legion (Kwan only) and On Becoming a God in Central Florida (Scheinert only). Daniels were attached as directors on a prospective TV adaption of Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut, being developed by Noah Hawley, but the project was not picked up.
The duo announced in 2017 they would write, direct and produce a sci-fi film, with their producing partner Jonathan Wang and the Russo brothers. Everything Everywhere All at Once, starring Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, James Hong and Jamie Lee Curtis, was released in March 2022 to widespread critical acclaim.
As of 2022, Daniels have signed a first look TV deal with A24. The same year, they also signed a five-year film deal with Universal Pictures.
Daniels were on the Time 100 Next list in 2022.
The Daniels top movies:
"Swiss Army Man" (2016) - A comedy-drama film about a man who becomes stranded on a deserted island and forms an unlikely friendship with a dead body that has washed up on the shore.
"Turn Down For What" (2013) - A music video for the popular DJ Snake and Lil Jon song that features an array of surreal and absurd scenarios set to the catchy beat.
"I Love Your Work" (2003) - A short film that explores the dark side of fame and celebrity through a series of surreal and absurd scenarios.
"Too Many Cooks" (2014) - A comedic short film that parodies the opening credits of popular TV sitcoms and takes a surreal and absurd approach to the familiar format.
"Hot sugar's Cold World" (2015) - A feature-length documentary about the life and work of music producer Nick Koenig, also known as Hot Sugar, that explores the intersection of art, music, and technology.
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