Peter Greenaway

Born: April 5 1942
Where: Newport, Gwent, Wales, UK

The former painter - who once declared that "continuity is boring" - has repulsed, mystified and enthralled a generation of cinemagoers.

Highpoints of an illustrious career include his calling card The Draughtsman's Contract and The Cook, the Thief, his Wife and her Lover - his biggest US success.

He edited films in the 1960s and 1970s for Britain's Central Office of Information and, during that time, used the Office's facilities to produce his own experimental shorts.

These included a tour of the Goole and a short about the fashion designer Zandra Rhodes before his critically acclaimed first feature, The Draughtsman's Contract.

His bold visuals and savage social commentary continued with A Zed and Two Noughts, The Belly of an Architect and Drowning by Numbers.

His next film, The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover, a viscerally overwhelming black comedy, was extremely controversial and initially stamped with an 18 rating.

Prospero's Books was a visually fascinating adaptation of Shakespeare's play using the latest computer technology and high-definition TV.

However, his touch appeared to desert him with The Pillow Book, starring Ewan McGregor, in 1996 and 8 1/2 Women three years later.

Upcoming projects include Tulse Luper Suitcases: The Moab Story, starring Deborah Harry and Nigel Terry.

Interestingly, the number 92 is prominent in his films: 92 "Falls" in The Falls. 92 languages in The Falls and 92 suitcases belonging to Tulse Luper.