Sandra Goldbacher

Sandra Goldbacher (born in 1960) is a British film director and screenwriter.

Goldbacher grew up in Hampstead Garden Suburb in the London Borough of Barnet, the daughter of a Jewish father, a fruit importer, and a Protestant mother, who was a native of the Isle of Skye. Her mother converted to Judaism when Goldbacher was 1 year old. Goldbacher grew up as a reform Jew. She said she encountered some anti-semitism growing up.

Goldbacher graduated Sussex University as a French Literature major. She then did a year-long course studying film and video at Middlesex University.

Goldbacher got her start directing commercials for The Observer, Philips, Evian, Wella, Johnny Walker and Baileys. She also directed documentaries for the BBC series Building Sights and two documentaries on boxing for Channel Four.

Directing

Goldbacher's first feature film, The Governess, starring Minnie Driver, which she also wrote, was nominated for a BAFTA award in 1999 for best newcomer.

In 2001, Goldbahcer released her second film, Me Without You, which starred Anna Friel and Michelle Williams. The movie had been in development before The Governess, but funding came earlier for the other film. Me Without You explores the "over-intense" relationship between two teenage girls. The film was loosely based upon a childhood friendship she had when she was younger.

Both films feature Jewish characters and themes.

In 2007, Goldbacher directed the television film Ballet Shoes for BBC One. The film starred Emma Watson.

In 2012, Goldbacher directed two episodes of the second season of The Hour, which starred Dominic West.

Goldbacher married to writer/producer Peter Salmi in 1999. They have a son.

TV and shorts

• 2012: The Hour - director (episodes: Episode #2.1, Episode #2.2)
• 1995: Piccadilly Circus by Night - director
• 1994: Seventeen (TV short) - director (won: Silver Plaque at the Chicago Film Festival)
• 1983: Polka Dots and Moonbeams; Night of 1000 Eyes - co-director

Film

• 2007: Ballet Shoes - director
• 2001: Me Without You - director, screenplay
• 1999: The Devil's Chimney - director
• 1998: The Governess - director, written by (nominated for a BAFTA, best newcomer; won: Hitchcock Award at the Dinard British Film Festival, Audience Award and Special debut Prize at the Karlovyvary International Film Festival, and Kodak Vision Award)

• Inheritance London: Daughters of History, 2012. ISBN 978-0-956-72002-3
• Matilda's Secret London: Daughters of History Ltd, 2011. ISBN 978-0-956-72000-9
• Amelia's Inheritance London: Daughters of History Ltd,
• Clementine's Winter London: Daughters of History Ltd,

Academic journals

• Lewin, Judith. Semen, Semolina, and Salt Water: The Erotic Jewess in Sandra Goldbacher's The Governess. Jews & Sex, ed. Nathan Abrams (Nottingham, UK: Five Leaves Press, 2008), pp. 88–100. ISBN 978-1-905-51234-8