Darren Aronofsky
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| Born: | February 12, 1969 (age 38) Brooklyn, New York, USA |
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| Occupation: | Film director, film producer and screenwriter. |
| Spouse: | Rachel Weisz (fiance) |
Darren Aronofsky (born February 12, 1969 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American film director, screenwriter and film producer. He is engaged to actress Rachel Weisz, with whom he has a son, Henry Chance, born May 31, 2006.
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[edit] Early life
Aronofsky was born in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. His parents were both public school teachers. He graduated Edward R. Murrow High School early and backpacked around the Middle East, Europe and Guatemala for six months.
In 1987 he entered Harvard University and studied anthropology, live action film and animation. His senior thesis film Supermarket Sweep starred his fellow student and friend Sean Gullette. He graduated in 1991 with honors.
Next, he attended the AFI Conservatory and graduated with an M.F.A. degree in 1992.
[edit] Features
[edit] π
In 1996 Aronofsky began developing the concept for his first feature film "π", a psychological sci-fi thriller. After the π script received positive reactions from friends, he began production. The film re-teamed Aronofsky with Sean Gullette, who played the lead. During production, Aronofsky and crew realized they didn't have enough money to complete the film. Associate Producer Scott Franklin came up with the idea to raise completion funds by asking every person they knew for $100. Later in production certain individuals put in more cash, which let Aronofsky complete the film. After π was completed (with a budget somewhere around $60,000), it premiered at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival and Aronofsky won the Directing Award. The film was picked up by distributor Artisan Entertainment and released in selected cities. The film later won an Independent Spirit Award and the Open Palm. $100 investors were said to be subsequently re-paid with $150. π featured use of the SnorriCam, one of Aronofsky's trademarks.
[edit] Batman
When Joel Schumacher threatened to end the franchise with the campy box-office disappointment Batman & Robin in 1997, many directors tried to bring a darker take on Batman to the big screen. Many directors had failed including Schumacher who tried twice with Batman Triumphant featuring both the Scarecrow and the Joker. Aronofsky came the closest by coming up with the idea of doing a low-budget take on Frank Miller's Batman: Year One. Christian Bale even said that he was about to sign on to the project just before it stalled in 2002 it was reported to be the first R-rated Batman film. It was this that got Bale interested in the character. After Aronofsky's project failed, along came Christopher Nolan, David Goyer and Batman Begins in which Bale did eventually play the "Dark Knight".
[edit] Requiem for a Dream
One of Aronofsky's favorite books is Hubert Selby Jr.'s Last Exit to Brooklyn.[citation needed] While editing π, producer Eric Watson convinced Aronofsky to read another Selby book, Requiem for a Dream, which Aronofsky had actually started reading years before but never finished. He was moved by the novel and wanted to film an adaptation, quickly beginning work on the script with Selby. Aronofsky pulled no punches in delivering a relentless and disturbing movie of hopes and dreams shattered and lives laid waste by drug addiction. The film was a clinical depiction of the depths to which some people will sink to in the hope of attaining their dreams. The film premiered at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival and was greeted by a 13 minute standing ovation. It was released in the United States in October, 2000. Ellen Burstyn was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance as Sara Goldfarb.
[edit] The Fountain
Aronofsky next commenced writing an original screenplay entitled The Fountain due to star Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. In 2002, days away from the start of filming, Pitt pulled out due to "creative differences," and the film collapsed. Sets were demolished and Aronofsky left for home. Aronofsky persisted, and fought to put it back together. In 2005, The Fountain was resurrected with new stars Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz.
The Fountain was released in the United States on November 22, 2006.
[edit] Future projects
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On January 17 2007 Comingsoon.net reported that Aronofsky had signed on to direct Black Swan, a film described as a psychological thriller that "looks at the manipulative relationship between a veteran dancer and a rival."[1]
And on March 27 , 2007 on comingsoon.net Aronofsky also signed on to direct "The Fighter" the tale of the rise of Boston boxer "Irish" Micky Ward, who nabbed the world lightweight title with the help of his once down-and-out half-brother Dicky, who became a trainer. the film will star Matt Damon and Mark Wahlberg. Filming is reported to begin early summer in Massachusetts.
Other future projects that Aronofsky has been linked to include a Biblical story, an adaptation of Theodore Roszak's novel Flicker, Dan Simmons' novel Song of Kali or Black Flies which is based on the novel by Shannon Burke "Safelight".
[edit] Trademarks
- Frequently uses a technique known as a "Hip hop montage", which is a sequence of jump cut images or actions shown in fast-motion with accompanying sound effects, usually shown to simulate a certain repetitive action, such as taking drugs. Hip hop montages usually employ macro lenses to emphasize the immediacy of the action or image.
- Fade to white for emphasis, a break in the story, or an end of an Act/Section in the story.
- Copious use of exaggerated sound and sound effects.
- Uses a string instrument and electronic beat combination for the soundtrack to his films.
- Use of the Snorricam (a camera device that is rigged to the body of the actor).
- Themes in films are influenced by Pythagoras[citation needed].
[edit] List of works directed
- The Fountain (2006)
- Requiem for a Dream (2000) (aka Delusion Over Addiction)
- π (1998)
- Protozoa (1993) (student film — never distributed)
- Supermarket Sweep (1990) (student film — never distributed)
[edit] Interviews
- January 1998 MrShowBiz.com by Scott Roesch
- January 21, 1998 IndieWire.com by Anthony Kaufman
- July 10, 1998 IndieWire.com by Anthony Kaufman
- July 22, 1998 The A.V. Club by Joshua Klein
- 2000 dailyradar.com by Fred Topel
- October 6, 2000 IndieWire.com by Anthony Kaufman
- November 6, 2000 SciFi.com by Michael Marano
- February 11, 2001 Independent View by Ruby Rich
- November 8, 2005 Ain't It Cool News by "Moriarity"
- November 28, 2005 CHUD.com by Devin Faraci
- October 16, 2006 Ain't It Cool News by "Capone"
- November 2006 Wired by Steve Silberman
- November 15, 2006 Arizona Republic by Kathy Cano-Murillo
- November 21, 2006 The A.V. Club by Tasha Robinson
- January 17, 2007, Time Out, Nigel Floyd
[edit] External links
Categories: Articles with unsourced statements since February 2007 | All articles with unsourced statements | Articles lacking sources from February 2007 | All articles lacking sources | 1969 births | American film directors | American screenwriters | English-language film directors | Jewish American film directors | Living people | People from Brooklyn
