He’s one of the most charismatic contemporary American directors; someone who manages to craft intriguing and intimate stories with big stars attached. But what makes David O. Russell tick creatively? We’ve put together 15 fascinating David O. Russell quotes to see what goes into this maverick director’s writing and directing process.
David O. Russell – Beginnings
Growing up in New York, Russell has said he always had an affinity with filmmaking, falling in love with filmmakers like Martin Scorsese in his teens. However, after graduating from Amherst College in 1981, David O. Russell originally had no plans of becoming a filmmaker. Instead, he wanted to be a writer.
Armed with a Political Science degree, he set off to Nicaragua where he taught a literacy program. And on his return to the States, he began documenting poor housing conditions and the plight of immigrants.
Documentary filmmaking was where he gained his first industry experience. But in 1994, he made his directorial debut with the dark comedy, Spanking the Monkey. This is where Russell started to make a name for himself as a filmmaker.
The controversial project about a troubled youngster and his incestuous relationship garnered many awards, including two Independent Spirit Awards and a Sundance Audience Award. With the film, David O. Russell proved that he had exceptional talent. And despite having never attended film school, Russell quickly established himself as a director with a vision and an alternative take on big subjects with big budgets.
Russell went on to make the Miramax comedy Flirting with Disaster, which featured Ben Stiller, in 1996. But it was his trajectory after these first two films that truly came to define his distinct place in Hollywood.
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