Screenwriter known for The Hate U Give

Born: April 29, 1960;

Died: October 4, 2018

AUDREY Wells, who has died aged 58, was a screenwriter and director known for films with a strong feminist message. She wrote the screenplay for the new feature film The Hate U Give, but died the day before the film was released after a five-year battle with cancer.

Wells also wrote and directed the 2003 romantic comedy Under the Tuscan Sun, about a recently divorced woman who starts a new life in Italy.

Born in San Francisco to a psychiatrist father and psychologist mother, she initially pursued a career in radio. She had early jobs as a disc jockey at a local jazz station and in public radio before making the transition to film, armed with a Master of Fine Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles.

She wrote the screenplays for films like The Truth About Cats and Dogs, a modern-day Cyrano de Bergerac tale starring Uma Thurman, and Shall We Dance, with Jennifer Lopez and Richard Gere. She made her directorial debut with the 1999 independent film Guinevere, starring Sarah Polley as a young woman who has a relationship with an older mentor.

Wells also wrote the script for the critically acclaimed new film The Hate U Give, an adaptation of Angie Thomas’ young adult novel about a police shooting of a young black man. The film starring Amandla Stenberg is now playing in limited release.

Asked once whether there was such a thing as women's movies, she said, "Yes, but I think some can have crossover appeal. There are fantastic action movies that women would totally love and there are great movies with a female protagonist that men can love. I think Under the Tuscan Sun is a human comedy, and while there are films that are made for target audiences, I did not have women in mind when I wrote this movie. I had people in mind and people of both sexes seem to be enjoying it."

Angie Thomas said that it was a joy to work with Audrey Wells. "I’m forever grateful for what she gave us with The Hate U Give adaptation. She will truly be missed,” she said.

United Talent Agency co-President David Kramer said Wells was special. “The strong, independent female characters she shaped resonate today more than ever and will be a part of her legacy always,” he said. “We will miss her amazing, spirit, creativity and the love she gave us.”

Wells is survived by her husband, Brian Larky, and her daughter, Tatiana. Larky said Wells fought valiantly against her illness and died surrounded by love.