Cronenberg, David

David Cronenberg, filmmaker (b at Toronto 15 Mar 1943). Cronenberg studied literature at the University of Toronto and while there made 2 short films. Stereo (1969) and Crimes of the Future (1970) were commentaries on scientific experiments set in a vaguely futuristic world. They were also avant-garde works in form and structure. On the basis of these films, Cronenberg decided to move into the commercial mainstream. His next films combined the conventions of horror and science fiction with a wry and distinctive commentary on contemporary life.

Keywords

Born in 1943

Directors & Producers, Film

The Parasite Murders (1975, also known as Shivers) was vilified by Canadian critics but it, along with Rabid (1977), The Brood (1979) and Scanners (1981), turned him into a bankable director with a cult following, especially in Europe and in the US. VIDEODROME (1983), a dark, disturbing tale about technology, began the process of rehabilitation in critical circles - a process that has led to his being considered a major artist by most critics. His films began to explore a range of metaphysical questions - involving the relationship between mind and body - and ethical questions - having to do with the role of technology and science in modern life.

Both The Dead Zone (1983) and The Fly (1986) were produced for Hollywood and placed Cronenberg on the map as a commercial filmmaker of note. The success of the latter allowed him the freedom to explore more personal and darker concerns. DEAD RINGERS (1988) is considered by many to be among his finest work. Two of these 3 films were based on works by other writers, and The Fly was a remake of a classic American science-fiction film.

Naked Lunch (1991), based on William Burroughs's novel of the same name, was thought by many to be unfilmable. A long-cherished project of Cronenberg's, it was a cinematic success. M. Butterfly (1993) was based on the play by David Henry Hwang, and Cronenberg's most controversial film, Crash (1996), was modelled on the novel by J.G. Ballard. Crash, which won a Special Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival for "originality, daring and audacity," ran into censorship problems in some countries.

He returned to an original script of his own with eXistenZ (1999), a film that examined ideas explored in Videodrome: the relationship of the body to technology. Three of his recent feature films have moved away from futuristic, science-fiction material into a much more personal inquiry into the psychological, with less reliance on special effects. Spider (2002) is a rivetting portrait of a schizophrenic, while A History of Violence (2005) and Eastern Promises (2007) employ aspects of the gangster genre to explore the lives of 2 men who are not who they seem to be.

Cronenberg's films have been awarded many GENIE AWARDS. Dead Ringers (10 Genies) and Naked Lunch (8 Genies) were both named Best Picture and earned Cronenberg Best Director awards. He also received Best Director for Videodrome, Crash and Spider. A History of Violence received numerous accolades and awards.

David Cronenberg has worked occasionally in television, including the highly acclaimed Crimes Against Nature series. He has appeared in a number of film roles as an actor, most notably in Clive Barker's Nightbreed (1990).

Cronenberg was awarded the Chevalier des arts et lettres by the French government in 1991, accorded retrospectives in many of the most prestigious cinematheques and film museums in the world, and major exhibitions of his objects, props, designs and drawings have been presented in Tokyo, Barcelona, Rio de Janeiro, Paris and Thessalonika and in Toronto at the ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM in 1992.

Cronenberg, David
Cronenberg's film Crash shook up the Cannes Film Festival in May 1996, as Videodrome had in 1980 (courtesy Maclean's).

Dead Ringers
David Cronenberg (right) is shown directing Jeremy Irons in the film Dead Ringers (photo by Attila Dory, courtesy Library and Archives Canada/MISA).

Author PIERS HANDLING

Links to Other Sites

David Cronenberg
A profile of celebrated Canadian writer and film director David Cronenberg. From the Toronto International Film Group.

David Cronenberg
Check out the biography and movie credits for film director and screenwriter David Cronenberg. From the website for "Variety."

Genie Awards
Your online gateway to Canada’s prestigious Genie Awards. From the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television.

David Cronenberg’s A History of Violence
A brief synopsis of the book "David Cronenberg’s 'A History of Violence.'" From University of Toronto Press.

The Artist as Monster: The Cinema of David Cronenberg
A synopsis of William Beard's scholarly work on David Cronenberg’s films. From the University of Toronto Press.

Cronenberg to receive France's Légion d'honneur
A CBC News article about Canadian film director David Cronenberg receiving France's Légion d'honneur.