Darren Aronofsky Biography
Summary
"Darren Aronofsky" (born February 12, 1969, in Brooklyn, New York) is an American filmmaker, screenwriter and film producer.
Early life
Aronofsky was born in Brooklyn to Abraham Aronofsky and Charlotte, both school teachers. His father taught science and was a dean at Bushwick High School.
He graduated from Edward R. Murrow High School. He was selected to attend Camp Rising Sun, the Louis August Jonas Foundation's international summer scholarship program. He was trained as a research biologist with The School for Field Studies on a ranch in Kenya and Prince William Sound, Alaska. Upon graduating high school, he backpacked around the Middle East and Europe for six months and, in 1987, entered Harvard University where he studied anthropology, live action film and animation. His senior thesis film, "Supermarket Sweep", starred his fellow student and friend Sean Gullette. It was a finalist in the 1991 Student Academy Awards. He graduated in 1991 with honors. He received his M.F.A. in directing from AFI Conservatory and was honored with the institute's prestigious Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal.
Features
"?"
The film is about a mathematical genius, Maximillian Cohen, who narrates much of the movie. Max, a number theorist, theorizes that everything in nature can be understood through numbers, and that if you graph the numbers properly patterns will emerge. He is working on finding patterns within the stock market, using its billions upon billions of variables as his data set with the assistance of his homemade supercomputer, Euclid. It won the Directing Prize at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival. It also won the Open Palm at the Gotham Awards. Aronofsky won best first screenplay at the Independent Spirit Awards.
"Requiem for a Dream"
One of Aronofsky's favorite books is Hubert Selby Jr.'s "Last Exit to Brooklyn". While editing "?", producer Eric Watson asked 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 delivered a relentless and disturbing movie of hopes and dreams shattered and lives laid waste by various addictions. 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 several awards including the Academy Award for best actress for her performance as Harry's widowed and lonely mother.
Composer Clint Mansell's score has gone on to be one of the most recognizable scores of the decade.
"The Fountain"
Aronofsky next commenced writing an original screenplay entitled 'The Last Man' -- later changed to 'The Fountain' -- 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 auctioned off once Warner Bros. Productions shut down filming. Warner Bros. however, decided to simply shelve the project and keep it as an option, so long as Aronofsky could find the proper cast.
In 2005, The Fountain was resurrected with Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz. It was made with minimal computer effects, using classic chemical techniques, for creative reasons. The film premiered at the 2006 Venice Film Festival. It won the $25,000 Sloan prize at the 2006 Hamptons Film Festival.
"The Fountain" was released in the United States on November 22, 2006. It was released on DVD in the United States and Canada on May 15, 2007.
"The Wrestler"
Aronofsky directed "The Wrestler", starring Mickey Rourke as professional wrestler Randy 'The Ram' Robinson. The film tells the story of Robinson's decline, and eventual reentry into the pro wrestling scene. Filming began late January 2008 and wrapped two months later. "The Wrestler" won the prestigious Golden Lion prize at the 2008 Venice Film Festival (it is only the third American film to win this award in over 65 years), as well as two Golden Globe Awards: Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama for Rourke and Best Original Song for the song The Wrestler written and performed by Bruce Springsteen. Marisa Tomei and Mickey Rourke were nominated for Academy Awards.
Future projects
Currently, Aronofsky has also been confirmed to direct a new RoboCop movie, the film is intended to be a reboot instead of a remake ; the film is scheduled to be released sometime in 2011. However, in June 2009, Natalie Portman reportedly became attached to a project called 'The Black Swan' that Aronofsky had originally developed in 2007 for Universal. If funding for 'The Black Swan' is found, Aronofsky might not direct Robocop. Aronofsky is also planning a Noah's Ark Project which he thought of even before Pi, and was co-written with Ari Handel. The film is currently looking for a studio for financing. The film 'The Black Swan' is slated to be released next year, starring Mila Kunis and Natalie Portman.
Aborted projects
Aronofsky was attached for a month to direct "Watchmen", an adaptation of Alan Moore's graphic novel which was later made in 2009 by Zack Snyder. Aronofsky also co-wrote a Batman script with Frank Miller, based on Frank Miller's graphic novel, "Batman: Year One". Aronofsky in press says he took the job to impress Warner Bros. to allow him to make his passion project 'The Fountain.' He was also developing a film version of Frank Miller's "Ronin".. Darren Aronofsky was also attached to direct Mark Wahlberg and Brad Pitt in a film entitled "The Fighter". He decided to pass on the project and it is now helmed by director David O. Russell whilst actor Christian Bale has been attached to co-star with Wahlberg .
Personal life
Aronofsky is engaged to English actress Rachel Weisz. They began dating in 2001 and have a son, Henry Chance, born on May 31, 2006, in New York City. The couple resides in Brooklyn.
External links
Websites
(Darren Aronofsky's official website)
(Darren Aronosky's official blog)
(Darren Aronofsky Films) on Tumblr
(Darren Aronofsky Online (fan site))
(Darren Aronofsky: First Person Cinema (study guide))
(Darren Aronofsky) at AskMen.com
Interviews
(January 1998 "MrShowBiz.com" by Scott Roesch)
(January 21, 1998 "IndieWire.com" by Anthony Kaufman)
(July 22, 1998 "The A.V. Club" by Joshua Klein)
(2000 "dailyradar.com" by Fred Topel)
(November 6, 2000 "SciFi.com" by Michael Marano)
(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)
(Darren Aronofsky and Rachel Weisz Talk About 'The Fountain')
Credit
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article about Darren Aronofsky.
