DGA members in New York and Los Angeles have had the opportunity to attend member screenings followed by Q&A sessions with the films’ directors.
Darren Aronofsky, Black Swan
Director Darren Aronofsky (The Wrestler; Requiem for a Dream) discussed his behind-the-scenes look at the world of ballet in his new film Black Swan following the DGA membership screening in New York on November 3. In the film, two young New York City ballerinas (Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis) compete to replace a prima ballerina (Winona Ryder) in their dance company's upcoming production of "Swan Lake." Director Joshua Marston (Maria Full of Grace) served as moderator. (Photos by Marcie Revens / Print courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures)
Lisa Cholodenko, The Kids Are All Right
In the Los Angeles DGA Theater on July 19, director Lisa Cholodenko (Laurel Canyon; High Art) spoke about the challenges she overcame while making her new film, The Kids Are All Right. The film explores the family dynamics of a same-sex couple (Annette Bening and Julianne Moore) who have to deal with the fact that their teen-aged children, both conceived by artificial insemination, have decided to bring their birth father (Mark Ruffalo) into their family life. DGA Third Vice President Betty Thomas (Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel) served as moderator. (Photos by Byron Gamarro / Print courtesy of Focus Features)
Tony Goldwyn, Conviction
Following the DGA membership screening in New York on October 27, Director Tony Goldwyn (Someone Like You...; Justified) discussed how he brought his new feature film Conviction to the screen. Conviction is the incredible true story of a high school dropout and working single mother (Hilary Swank) who puts herself through law school in order to represent her brother (Sam Rockwell), who was wrongfully convicted of murder and has exhausted his efforts to appeal his conviction using public defenders. Director Richard La Gravanese (P.S. I Love You) served as moderator. (Photos by Donald Rasmussen / Print courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures)
John Cameron Mitchell, Rabbit Hole
Director John Cameron Mitchell (Shortbus; Hedwig and the Angry Inch) gave a glimpse into his process in making his latest feature Rabbit Hole after the Los Angeles DGA membership screening on November 7. Based on a play by David Lindsay-Abaire, the drama examines a happily married couple (Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart) whose seemingly perfect world crashes after their young son is accidentally killed by a teenage driver. DGA Past President Martha Coolidge (Tribute; Material Girls) served as moderator of the discussion. (Photos by Tonya Wise / Print courtesy of Lionsgate)
Mark Romanek, Never Let Me Go
What if your entire reason for being was simply to serve as an organ donor? Director Mark Romanek (One Hour Photo) explores this grim scenario in his new film Never Let Me Go, an adaptation of a novel by Kazuo Ishiguro. The film follows a trio (Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield and Keira Knightley) who, after leaving their seemingly idyllic English boarding school, are forced to come to grips with the fate that awaits them. Romanek discussed the making of the film with director Spike Jonze (Where the Wild Things Are; Being John Malkovich) following the DGA membership screening in New York on September 15. (Photos by Donald Rasmussen / Print courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures)
Randall Wallace, Secretariat
Following the Los Angeles membership screening of Secretariat on October 17, Director Randall Wallace (We Were Soldiers; The Man in the Iron Mask) sat down with director Aaron Schneider (Get Low) to talk about the making of the film. Secretariat tells the true story of how housewife and mother Penny Chenery (Diane Lane), who despite her lack of knowledge of the world of horse racing, took over her ailing father's stables, and managed to overcome all the odds as she and her team turned a long-shot precocious stallion into the first winner of the prestigious Triple Crown in twenty-five years. (Photos by Howard Wise / Print courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures)
Edward Zwick, Love and Other Drugs
Director Edward Zwick ventures into the world of romantic comedy with his latest film Love and Other Drugs. Based on Jamie Reidy's memoir Hard Sell: The Evolution of a Viagra Salesman, the film stars Anne Hathaway as an alluring free spirit who meets her match in a charming pharmaceutical salesman and avowed ladies man played by Jake Gyllenhaal. After the New York DGA membership screening on November 7, Zwick (Defiance; Blood Diamond) sat down with Director Michael Pressman (Grey's Anatomy) to discuss the making of the film. (Photos by Donald Rasmussen / Print courtesy of 20th Century Fox)
