1998

Gia
HBO movie
Michael Cristofer, director
James D. Brubaker, unit production manager
Mary Ellen Woods, first assistant director
David Larson, second assistant director

Cristofer, the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright of The Shadow Box, won the DGA's honor for his first directing attempt, this fact-based piece about supermodel Gia Marie Curangi from her employment in her father's Philadelphia diner at age 17 to her death from AIDS 10 years later as the first known American woman to die from the disease. The movie concentrates on her failed relationships, drug use and the peculiarities of the New York modeling scene. Angelina Jolie made her first big showing with an exceptional performance with excellent support from Faye Dunaway, Mercedes Ruehl and John Considine. Cristofer shared teleplay credt with Bright Lights, Big City author Jay McInerney.