Chris Kentis

Chris Kentis
Kentis in 2012
Born
New York, United States
OccupationsFilm director, screenwriter
Children1

Chris Kentis is an American film director and screenwriter.

Career

Kentis made his feature directorial debut with Grind (1997), starring Billy Crudup and Amanda Peet, which he co-wrote with his wife Laura Lau and also edited. He wrote, directed and edited Open Water (2003), which he based on a true story he had first heard about in diving circles as a vacation scuba diver. He and Lau shot the film themselves in the Bahamas, with Kentis operating the underwater camera among real sharks. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and became one of the most profitable low-budget films of all time. Kentis and Lau later co-directed Silent House (2011), starring Elizabeth Olsen, which also premiered at Sundance and was released by Open Road Films; Kentis has also worked as an award-winning producer and editor of film trailers.

Personal life

Kentis and Laura Lau in 2012

He was married to co-director Laura Lau. They have one daughter.

Filmography

Year Title Director Writer Editor Notes Ref.
1997 Grind Yes Yes Yes Also made a cameo as "Factory Worker"
2003 Open Water Yes Yes Yes Also cinematographer
2011 Silent House Yes No No Co-directed with Laura Lau

References

  1. 1 2 Sontag, Deborah (August 1, 2004). "FILM; A Couple Go For a Morning Dive . . ". The New York Times. Retrieved 2013-03-28.
  2. 1 2 3 "Chris Kentis". Bild Expo 2025. B&H Photo. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  3. ↑ Havrilesky, Heather (21 January 2004). "Look, Ma — no mechanical shark!". Salon. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  4. ↑ "'Open Water' Filmmakers Escape Tsunami". Backstage. Associated Press. 2 January 2005. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  5. ↑ Smith, Jim (10 September 2004). "Deep trouble". The Westmorland Gazette. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  6. ↑ Holden, Stephen (April 11, 1997). "Grind (1996) People Who Make Treadmills Go Nowhere". The New York Times.
  7. ↑ Genzlinger, Neil (2012-03-08). "Haunted Home Looks Great by Lantern Light". The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-03-20.