Requiem for a Dream | Cast and crew reunited twenty years later | MoMA FILM
The Debra and Leon Black Family Film Center presents Requiem for a Dream, a live Q&A.
Darren Aronofsky’s Requiem for a Dream has only grown in stature since its explosive debut in 2000. His harrowing and influential visual depiction of addiction and dependency across four characters in Brooklyn is a film that’s still whispered about in tones of reverence. In celebration of its 20th anniversary, join Aronofsky and actors Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, and Marlon Wayans for a discussion about the film and its impact on cinema and culture. This virtual conversation will be moderated by Rajendra Roy, the Celeste Bartos Chief Curator of Film.
This live Q&A was an exclusive MoMA membership event. To join future live film programs with leading industry talent, become an Explore member today.
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Film at MoMA is made possible by CHANEL.
Additional support is provided by the Annual Film Fund. Leadership support for the Annual Film Fund is provided by Debra and Leon D. Black and by Steven Tisch, with major contributions from Jo Carole and Ronald S. Lauder, Association of Independent Commercial Producers (AICP), The Brown Foundation, Inc., of Houston, and The Junior Associates of The Museum of Modern Art.
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This conversation was originally recorded on Tuesday, October 6, 2020.
The comments and opinions expressed in this video are those of the speaker alone, and do not represent the views of The Museum of Modern Art, its personnel, or any artist.
#RequiemForADream #MoMAFilm #DarrenAronofsky
I still don't understand how Ellen didn't win an Oscar for that performance.
It was the same year as Erin Brokovitch.
@@jimsmith1856 And yet her performance dwarfs Julia's..
acuerdo completamente.
@@jimsmith1856 true. But still that sucks because she’s a legend
Ikr she was phenomenal
I really really admire Ellen Burstyn's acting in this film, so realistic, so disturbing, what a great actress.
Legit can’t tell if that is Jared Leto or a cardboard cut out. Dude never blinks
When I was watching this and still very much listening I played a mini game of a starting contest with Leto. I lost 🤣🤣
It's the drugs...lol..
He's a vampire fs
😆
He's a weirdo. Man he killed it in this film though
The entire cast was beyond amazing - Ellen got robbed of the Oscar and Marlon doesn't seem to get the recognition he deserves. It is a very difficult movie to watch, but it should be mandatory viewing by early high school.
Yes I agree, at 16-17 yo, perfect time
No, not early high-school. This film traumatized me, but I love it. Maybe late high-school.
@@wheatstonebridge yr 12, or seniors for americans
I unfortunately can see {most} high schoolers not seeing the importance of this movie and even laughing at a lot of it- especially the Sarah parts (being the most heartbreaking). I know I sound like a Karen but im in my mid 20s and I just know how most of the kids are :/
How Ellen Burstyn didn't win the Oscar... unbelievable
The Oscars are a joke dude
she got snubbed because it was Julia Roberts time long awaited.
Oh to hear Ellen say "red dress" after all those years...
In a fair world, Requiem for a Dream would have swept the Oscars that year. The fact that it only got one nomination is ludicrous.
20 yrs later and Marlon still not getting the recognition and credit he deserves. He was filming Scary Movie at the same time as this and had to vacilate between a Mel Brooks style over the top performance and a subtle nuanced performance. Guy was the GOAT of this movie and still doesn't get the props he deserves.
The PC establishment never forgave them (Wayans) for their raunchy humor. etc...
Marlon was great in this movie but I'm sorry there is no way he was the best performer in this film.
@@vr_-gaming yes indeed. I felt like the true star of the show was Ellen. the emotion there really spoke to me. Wayans was truly incredible and I think this is one of his best performances, I think that’s why the og commenter said what they said. people in the black community mostly remember him for his funny roles but overlook his role as Tyrone because difficult movies like this weren’t “marketable” enough for us.
I wish Marlon had done more serious movies. He certainly had a talent for it
I love how Jennifer and Jared don’t even break their silence until deep into the interview. That movie was INTENSE
Ellen is still alive. This gives me HOPE.
This film is literally the most disturbing experience in my life. I know there might be other films that had more disturbing content but this one haunted me like a punch in the gut.
Have you seen Mother! Yet😃
me and my friends watched it, and it is the first we have ever watched end credits with a just a blank stare for like 10 min. We were just speechless.
this movie and The Virgin Suicides
Because it's so real, visceral, and unrelenting in its depiction of the reality of such a uniquely surreal experience. I've never seen it from start to finish, having only seen clips, but that's what I've gotten out of it so far. Scary shit because it's so unapologetically real in a world that's become increasingly impersonal and disconnected.
Jared, Marlon and Jennifer are like the fine wine: becomes better with time
Jared saved this reunion... He talks about the nostalgia, and how important this part was for him, and they start reminiscing about it. That's what we wanted.
After my first watch of Requiem, the first thing I did was to call my Mom, to tell her how much I love her and will never abandon, then I call my brother and we were thankful that when he got arrested it didn't got bad as we expected, then I pick up my girl from work told her that I love her and will support her career she was studying at the time, then finally before going to bed I thank God that my body and mind are still good. This movie made me reflect so much, if you think life is hard there are always more people having it way harder, and to always reach out to help and to be helped
That's the real horror to me with this film. No supernatural anything, no psycho killer or whatever, just pure reality and what can become of people who make choices that are available to pretty much anyone. Never really seen a film like this before and holy fuck it makes you grateful for what you have and that life isn't as bad as it might seem. Great depiction of how drugs destroy lives and can even come from DOCTORS. I am glad that I had my dogs there with me watching the movie to comfort me cause this movie got DARK.
People are always stunned that I pull this movie out to watch periodically. Most don't ever want to see it again despite respecting the hell out of it. I find it riveting and devastating and I like that in a film!
Any other recommendations?!
@@imdownonmyluck I think the closest any other movie has come to making feel like this one is Melancholia, Dancer in the Dark also comes close. Both are Lars von Trier movies. Movies like American History X, Perks of Being a Wallflower, Room, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, Dogtooth, Breaking the Waves, Mother! and Irreversible are just a handful of the really, really good examples of movies that elicit the same sort of strong feelings to one degree or another.
This movie was my life. This was so scary when I was 15. But watching it for the 2nd time at 35. I acknowledged how real EVERY second of this movie is. Not one detail missed. Amazing work. Almost 6 years clean off meth and heroin.
Hey good for you, that's so great. Do you feel better day to day?
The only detail they missed was when doing heroin your pupils get smaller.
In many ways I think it's a perfect movie
Jennifer is the most beautiful woman in the world ever
20 years, eh? Feels like ten at the most. Regardless, lovely to see Ellen Burstyn doing fine, same for the rest of the cast.
Marlon killed it in his role. Everyone did but with Jared, Jennifer, and Ellen u knew their track record going in. Marlon was the wild card and could have easily went over the top with it but he NAILED it. His and Ellen's scenes are sooooo heart breaking everytime... Everyone says Ellen deserved the Oscar but for me the real crime was Marlon did not even get nominated for supporting actor.
the first scene of the film is so horrendously sad, Sara’s opening monologue is a hopless attempt to console herself, and is brutally interrupted by the title card, really sets the tone for the rest of the movie.
Did anyone notice that Jared hardly blinks at all in this panel?
bruh did anyone else notice Jared Leto being a still picture in the first 10 mins
Ellen Burstyn is such a rare gem of an actress. She's done some hugely impressive work. The intensity of her performances in The EXORCIST and Requiem for a Dream are simply incredible. She was robbed of winning the Oscar for those films.
Jared. Ageless man. I love him
Ellen Burstyn gave probably the best performance I’ve ever seen
It’s a necessary movie. It’s must be watched. Perfect representation of the human condition.
This movie is really devastating. If you ever had the idea to try some drugs this movie will scare you to death so you won't even hear to speak about drugs anymore!! Love it, very educative..
It struck me that this film shows its lead characters all trying to take dangerous shortcuts to their dreams, while the actual cast and crew threw themselves into their art completely and worked incredibly hard.
Marlon, Jennifer and jared still looks great.
This movie was the hardest one ever. I don`t understand why Ellen Burstyn and Jennifer Connelly not nominated for an Oscar. 🤔... underrated Masterpiece.
ellen is such a queen. her resume is legendary
Just saw this film for the first (and probably last) time last night, and it blew me away. Woke up to a sleet storm this morning, dragged myself to work really feeling the arthritis in my feet, not wanting to deal with my boss…and even with all that going on I felt like my life is a beautiful dream of heaven after witnessing the despair in this movie. It makes me wonder how I can really help other people in more than just a superficial way.
Clint Mansell should be here.
For a film about drug users, all these people look basically the same 20 years later.
Elllen Burstyn looks so elegant and classy!
*I love this film so much. It's emotionally gripping, disturbing, and an absolute masterpiece.*
It's like barely crawling away after being hit by a semi. Brilliant masterpiece. Deserving of being preserved in the National Film Registry.
i felt lightheaded after this movie and cried. ive never cried at a movie before in my life. this is one the greatest films of all time and in my top five but i will never watch it again ever
Every time I’ve watched the movie, the scenes of the food with Ellen or the refrigerator, it’s horrifying for me. It just scares me
20 years! I can still remember the first time I watched RfaD & it still moves, shocks and disturbs me in all the same ways. Stellar performances from all 4 leads, I can't imagine any other combination of actors bringing such an intense urban horror to life.
The racial perspective is so important! Marlon was impressive. Underrated actor.
i'm terrorised after watching this movie. Eilen made me think of my mum, Jared crying alone at the hospital, contrasting with Jennifer's smile cause she become addicted. And the fall of all characters laying on the same left position on their bed at the end of the movie, Everyone made a huge job for interpretations.
Ellen is a marvelous actress Her performance haunted me
I was literally sad for 3 days after watching this movie on DVD the way they implemented the game show during the selection screen was amazing
I remember pre-ordering the DVD from America, because it wouldn't be out for a while here in Norway. Was home alone when it arrived, popped it in my DVD player and heated up some cheap Lasagna. The Lasagna was godawful, but I think I watched the movie five times that summer.
This movie is so great and with such raw emotions, I could only watch it once. I tried re-watching it, argh, my heart couldn't take it. And yeah, Ellen Burstyn's performance, WOW.
How does Jared not age? Same goes for Jennifer! O.o
I am grateful to the actors especially for what they must have had to go through to perform these roles, and for submitting to this experience and just sharing their souls with us.
Ok this maybe a little messed up but it's one my favourite movies devastatingly beautiful. The score the cinematography the way its filmed. Just an amazing film so well acted so intense yet so intimate and stylistic it is a film that will be forever an absolute brutal mesmerising classic.
Looking at the four actors reunited, they still look like a family.
Marlon and Ellen are such interesting people to listen to. The onther actors just talk vaguely and redundtant.
And darren kept shutting marlon down smh
I wish I could meet Ellen Burstyn. She seems like such a warm person, with lots of wisdom to share.
Jennifer is gorgeous, such a unique look
Ellen Burstyn’s dialogue at the kitchen with Jared is the best scene of cinema that I’ve seen in my whole life
It's absolutely a must see. Once. Never watching it again.
12:35 😭 her voice is gorgeous
Ellen Burstyn is speaking words of wisdom
Ellen looks like such a naturally happy and wonderful person.
I reluctantly started watching this movie yesterday. I was drawn into it. The actors performances were so commanding and real. I have not viewed any movie or stories about addiction since 2012 when my daughter died. It is too painful. This movie is too painful…but unfortunately true.
Ellen sounds EXACTLY like my grandma, that’s crazy!!! I also can’t believe she’s over 80!
One of the best movies of the 21st century
one of the most amazing and cruel film of my life........
I think everyone should see this movie at least once. I'm constantly telling people about it, even now. All of these actors were favorites of mine before Requiem, but after were cemented in my heart, as is Darren for vision & for bringing them all together in such an important, relevant & human story. . .
Jennifer still looks amazing.
legendary cinematography
Ellen Burstyn has always been my favorite actress. What an elegant, beautiful woman. And we share the same birthday!
They all stayed in character for this too...
The movie is harrowing, but in a strange way such a tribute to the longings of the human heart. It’s radiant and brutal. What art is for.
I love how Ellen Burstyn is such a seasoned actress and knows her craft so well but the production side of film is kinda lost on her. Brilliant method actress who literally made the cinematographer cry, but doesn't know what a timelapse is. Talk about nose to the grindstone
This lady has lifetimes of filmmaking knowledge over you or me. She knows what a Timelapse is but it was not traditional, it was a motion control rig, probably very new to her then and still today because she doesn’t work on films that use those. Aronofsky was very daring to use that rig as a storytelling device opposed to an aid to digital compositing. The film is full of CGI but you wouldn’t know it because it was subtle, realistic nuances, like the MoCo, that told its story in a new way. All actors worth their salt know what is being done technically, and Burstyn is no different. A big character trait of hers in the film is rubbing her neck. This was done to hide the seam of her fat neck prosthetic. There’s no way to give a performance like hers without knowing the craft inside and out, even if you flub the name of MoCo. Many great directors don’t even know what camera they shoot on. There’s a division of labor for a reason.
This movie is amazing. Watching it once is enough. I don’t need to watch trauma over and over again
Epic! One of my fave movies. A special thank to Ellen Burstyn. 🥰😘
Jenniffer Connelly hasn't aged a day.
Still one of my favorite movies of all time is just brilliant Art. Love it. And the Summer overture is still epic af.
Jare doesn't blink :D
coming here after a second viewing of the film to try and ground myself back in reality...
great to see em all
I honestly thought that was just a static picture of Jared Leto until he moved his arm
This is one my all time favorite movies! Some people can only watch it once, I watch it a LOT, Love the movie!!
One of the best movie ever made
Thank you so much this makes me so happy
my favorite movie
Amazing movie 👏🖤
Great film!
This was on of the greatest films ever! Well done by all of the actors and the director.
Awe they all ended up okay in the end
masterpiece
Amazing film.
They're all so good, core memory movie
its been 20 years all the characters together and lost on those moments, raw emotions and era they passed to made a master piece. look at them, look at us, we human so weak, cant defeat time.
Thanks to everyone in this interview, for sharing their experiences making this brilliant film.
amazing souls made this movie
it is a perfect movie in all areas congrats darren and the cast
Such a great film, great to see the cast all alive and well. Great video!
I watched this movie in 2023 right around halloween and omg this masterpiece can be considered as a horror movie ._. Very sad movie for all the characters, the 3 young characters who are drug addicts and the mom who is taking those weight losing pills, who then becomes unhealthy. How vulnerable everyone is and how uncomfortable the movie makes you feel that I don't plan to watch the movie any time soon. Kinda like American History X, another masterpiece
Ellen Burstyn should of got an Oscar for this movie.
My favorite movie 💕 love u all esp Jared and Jennifer 😍❤❤
this is my favourite movie of all time
Jared's loook still sooo young! My favorite movieee😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍