The Auteur's Lens
An in-depth exploration of Philip Kaufman's visionary cinema, from his independent roots to his acclaimed Hollywood productions.
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Introducing Philip Kaufman
A Maverick Auteur
Philip Kaufman, born October 23, 1936, is an esteemed American film director and screenwriter whose career spans nearly five decades, encompassing fifteen feature films. He is widely recognized as a "maverick" and an "iconoclast," a filmmaker who consistently expresses a distinct personal vision across a remarkably versatile body of work.[1][2] His films often challenge conventions and explore diverse genres, from realism and horror to fantasy, erotica, westerns, and crime dramas.[1]
Acclaimed Works
Kaufman's filmography boasts several critically acclaimed works. His breakthrough came with The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988), which earned him a BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and an Academy Award nomination in the same category.[22] Other notable films include the impactful remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978), the cult classic The Wanderers (1979), the epic historical drama The Right Stuff (1983), the controversial Henry & June (1990), and the period drama Quills (2000). His HBO film Hemingway & Gellhorn (2012) also garnered a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Directing.[5]
Beyond Directing
Beyond his directorial prowess, Kaufman is also a prolific screenwriter and producer. He received story credit for the iconic Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), where he conceived the pivotal MacGuffin of the Ark of the Covenant.[4] His collaborative spirit extended to his personal life, as his wife, Rose Fisher Kaufman, co-wrote screenplays for The Wanderers and Henry & June, and his son, Peter Kaufman, has produced several of his films.[5]
Early Life & Influences
Chicago Roots & Academic Pursuits
Born in Chicago in 1936, Philip Kaufman was the only son of Elizabeth Brandau and Nathan Kaufman, a produce businessman. His upbringing included a friendship with future director William Friedkin.[3] He developed an early passion for cinema, frequently attending double features.[2] Academically, Kaufman earned a history degree from the University of Chicago, followed by a year at Harvard Law School. He returned to Chicago with aspirations of becoming a history professor.[1]
European Odyssey & Counterculture
In 1960, Kaufman immersed himself in the burgeoning counterculture movement in San Francisco, taking on various jobs and befriending influential figures like writer Henry Miller.[1] His journey then led him and his wife, Rose Fisher, to Europe, where he taught English and math for two years in Greece and Italy, following a period on a kibbutz in Israel.[4] During these travels, he met author Anaรฏs Nin, whose complex relationship with Henry Miller would later inspire his film Henry & June (1990).[1]
Cinematic Awakening
Kaufman's time in Europe proved transformative, solidifying his decision to pursue filmmaking. Exposure to experimental European filmmakers like John Cassavetes and Shirley Clarke in small theaters ignited a new artistic direction. He recalled this period as the "start of something new," inspiring the "European flavor" evident in many of his subsequent films. Upon returning to Chicago in 1962, he dedicated himself to studying foreign cinema, absorbing as much as he could.[2]
A Career in Motion
Early Independent Ventures (1964โ1977)
Kaufman's directorial debut, Goldstein (1964), co-written and co-directed with Benjamin Manaster, was a "mystical comedy" inspired by Martin Buber's Tales of the Hasidim. Filmed in Chicago with local actors, it won the Prix de la Nouvelle Critique at the 1964 Cannes Film Festival, with Jean Renoir hailing it as the best American film in two decades.[3] Franรงois Truffaut also lauded the film.[2] His next film, Fearless Frank (1967), a comic book fable starring a young Jon Voight, struggled to find distribution but eventually led to a contract with Universal Studios in 1969.[7] He then directed the western The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid (1972) and the Arctic drama The White Dawn (1974). In 1975, he began directing The Outlaw Josey Wales but was replaced by Clint Eastwood due to artistic differences and a personal rivalry over actress Sondra Locke.[10][11]
Breakthrough & Acclaim (1978โ1983)
The science fiction thriller Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) marked Kaufman's first box office success. This remake, set in San Francisco, transformed the alien threat into a disturbing, humorous, and believable horror narrative, earning praise from critics like Pauline Kael, who called it "the best movie of its kind ever made."[13] He followed this with the cult favorite The Wanderers (1979), a coming-of-age story about a Bronx gang in 1963.[9] In 1981, Kaufman received story credit for Raiders of the Lost Ark, notably conceiving the Ark of the Covenant as the film's central MacGuffin.[4] His epic The Right Stuff (1983), an adaptation of Tom Wolfe's book about the Mercury Seven astronauts and Chuck Yeager, was nominated for eight Academy Awards, winning four. Despite its critical success, it underperformed at the box office.[9]
Later Works & Enduring Vision (1988โ2012)
Kaufman continued to direct diverse and often provocative films. The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988), set during the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.[22] His 1990 film, Henry & June, a biographical drama about Henry Miller, June Miller, and Anaรฏs Nin, was the first film to receive an NC-17 rating from the MPAA, sparking considerable controversy.[9] Other notable works include the thriller Rising Sun (1993), the historical drama Quills (2000) about the Marquis de Sade, and the crime thriller Twisted (2004). His most recent work, the HBO biopic Hemingway & Gellhorn (2012), starring Clive Owen and Nicole Kidman, earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Directing.[5]
Comprehensive Filmography
Film & Television Works
Philip Kaufman's extensive career as a director, writer, and producer is detailed below, showcasing his versatility across various genres and formats.
Accolades & Recognition
Personal Nominations & Wins
Philip Kaufman's contributions to cinema have been recognized with numerous awards and nominations from prestigious organizations, highlighting his excellence in directing and screenwriting.
Film Accolades
Kaufman's directed films have also garnered significant recognition, receiving multiple nominations and wins from major awards bodies, underscoring their critical impact.
Legacy & Artistic Impact
A Unique Voice in American Cinema
Philip Kaufman stands out as a director who consistently crafts films for mature audiences, fearlessly exploring themes of sensuality, artistic creation, and the manipulation of individuals by authority.[2] Film historian Annette Insdorf notes that "no other living American director has so consistently and successfully made movies for adults, tackling sensuality, artistic creation, and manipulation by authorities."[2] His works are characterized by a powerful sense of mood and atmosphere, enhanced by striking cinematography and a lyrical, poetic style that vividly brings different historical periods to life.[1]
Individualism and Integrity
Despite the often European aesthetic and thematic complexity of his films, Kaufman's narratives consistently underscore core American values: individualism and integrity.[4] His ability to blend diverse cultural influences with distinctly American storytelling sensibilities has cemented his reputation as a truly original voice in contemporary cinema. His films invite audiences to engage with challenging ideas and complex characters, leaving a lasting intellectual and emotional impression.
Personal Life
San Francisco Base
Philip Kaufman resides in San Francisco, where he also operates his production company, Walrus and Associates. His personal life has been closely intertwined with his professional journey, often influencing his creative endeavors and collaborations.[23]
Family & Collaborations
In 1958, Kaufman married Rose Fisher, whom he met at the University of Chicago. They had one son, Peter, born in March 1960.[5] Rose Kaufman was not only his wife but also a creative partner, co-writing screenplays for The Wanderers and Henry & June, and making cameo appearances in Henry & June and Invasion of the Body Snatchers.[6] She passed away in 2009 at the age of 70 from cancer, a personal loss that impacted Kaufman's subsequent work, including the delayed production of Hemingway & Gellhorn.[5] Their son, Peter Kaufman, has followed in the family's cinematic footsteps, producing several of his father's films, including Henry & June, Rising Sun, Quills, Twisted, and Hemingway & Gellhorn. Peter is married to Christine Pelosi, daughter of Paul and Nancy Pelosi, and they have a daughter, Isabella, born in 2009.[26]
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References
References
- Allon, Yoram; Cullen, Del; and Patterson, Hannah, editors. Contemporary North American Film Directors, Wallflower Press (2000) p. 292
- Simon, Alex. "Kaufman/Sade", Venice Magazine, December 2000/January 2001
- Hillstrom, Laurie, and Welsh, James M., editors. International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers-2: Directors, 3rd edition, St. James Press (1997) pp. 512-13
- Philip Kaufman, Film Reference; accessed January 20, 2019.
- Cain, Scott (November 9, 1975). "Actors Second in 'Lisztornania'". The Atlanta Constitution.
- "Eastwood Rule". Dictionary.com. July 1, 2019.
- Morrison, Michael A. Trajectories of the Fantastic: Selected Essays, Greenwood Publishing (1997) p. 195
- video: Clip from The Wanderers
- video: Scene from The Right Stuff
- Ebert, Roger. Awake in the Dark: The Best of Roger Ebert, Univ. of Chicago Press (2006) p. 160
- video: Scene compilation from The Unbearable Lightness of Being
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