Misplaced Pages

Atom Egoyan: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 09:07, 26 March 2006 editSlaciner (talk | contribs)122 edits External links← Previous edit Latest revision as of 15:19, 22 December 2024 edit undoSporkBot (talk | contribs)Bots1,244,869 editsm Remove template per TfD outcome 
(659 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|Canadian filmmaker (born 1960)}}
] at the Golden Apricot Film Festival in ], ]. Photo Copyright (c) 2005, Raffi Kojian.]]'''Atom Egoyan,''' ] (born ], ]) is a critically acclaimed ] filmmaker of ] descent. His work often explores themes of alienation and isolation, featuring characters whose interactions are mediated through technology, bureaucracy or other power structures. Stylistically, Egoyan's films often follow non-linear plot-structures, where events are placed out of sequence in order to elicit specific emotional reactions from the audience by withholding key information.
{{Infobox person
| name = Atom Egoyan
| honorific-suffix = {{post-nominals|size=100%|CC}}
| image = Atom Egoyan in Stepanakert (cropped).jpg
| caption = Egoyan in 2016
| birth_name = Atom Yeghoyan
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1960|7|19}}
| birth_place = ], ]
| citizenship = {{ubl|Canada|Armenia (from 2018)<ref>{{cite news |title=PM Pashinyan hands Armenian passports to Arsinée Khanjian and Atom Egoyan |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/946345.html |agency=] |date=7 September 2018}}</ref>}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Film director|screenwriter|producer}}
| years_active = 1984–present
| spouse = ]
| children = 1
| website = {{URL|http://www.egofilmarts.com/}}
| alma mater = ]
}}


'''Atom Egoyan''' {{post-nominals|country=CAN|CC}} ({{IPAc-en|ɛ|ˈ|ɡ|ɔɪ|ə|n}};<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/nls/about/organization/standards-guidelines/efgh/#e|title=Say How: E|publisher=]|access-date=October 17, 2018}}</ref> {{langx|hy|Ատոմ Եղոյեան}}; born July 19, 1960) is a Canadian filmmaker.<ref name="faculty">{{cite web|url=http://www.egs.edu/faculty/atom-egoyan/biography/|title=Atom Egoyan Faculty Page at European Graduate School (Biography, bibliography and video lectures)|publisher=]|access-date=2010-11-06|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101023102656/http://www.egs.edu/faculty/atom-egoyan/biography/|archive-date= 23 October 2010|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/theatre-and-performance/canstage-lures-atom-egoyan-back-to-the-stage/article567690/|newspaper=]|first=J. Kelly|last=Nestruck|title=Canstage lures Atom Egoyan back to the stage|date=February 23, 2011}}</ref> Emerging in the 1980s as part of the ], he made his career breakthrough with '']'' (1994), a film set in a ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.northernstars.ca/directorsal/egoyan_atom_interview_page05.html |title=Atom Egoyan - The Interview |publisher=Northernstars.ca |access-date=2015-09-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017211015/http://www.northernstars.ca/directorsal/egoyan_atom_interview_page05.html |archive-date=2013-10-17 }}</ref> Egoyan's most critically acclaimed film is the drama '']'' (1997), for which he received two ]. His biggest commercial success is the erotic thriller '']'' (2009).
Egoyan was born to Joseph and Shushan Yeghoyan in ], ]. He and his sister ] (who is now a concert pianist based in Toronto) were raised by their parents in ], ]. As a teenager, he became interested in reading and writing plays. Significant influences included ] and ]. He graduated from ] in the ]. Egoyan is now based in ], where he lives with his wife, ], an actress who appears in many of Egoyan's films, and their son, Arshile.


Egoyan's works often explore themes of ] and ], featuring characters whose interactions are mediated through technology, bureaucracy, or other power structures. His films often follow ] plot structures, in which events are placed out of sequence in order to elicit specific emotional reactions from the audience by withholding key information.<ref name="faculty"/>
Egoyan has directed a dozen full-length films, several television episodes, and a few shorter pieces. His early work was based on his own material, and he received some notice for the film '']'' (]), but it was Egoyan's first attempt at adapted material that resulted in his best-known work, '']'' (]), which landed him an ] nomination for Best Director. The film '']'' (]) also generated some publicity for Egoyan, as it was the first major motion picture to deal directly with the ]. '']'' later won the Best Picture prize at the ] (ironically, he failed to receive a Best Director nomination for the same film).


He received the 2008 ] for "Creative Rendering of the Past"<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721105038/http://www.dandavidprize.org/index.php/laureates/laureates-2008/56-2008-past-creative-rendering-of-the-past-literature-theater-film/72-past-2008-creative-rendering-of-the-past-literature-theater-film.html |date=July 21, 2011 }}</ref> and the 2015 ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Atom Egoyan - biography|url=http://ggpaa.ca/award-recipients/2015/egoyan,-atom.aspx|website=Governor General's Performing Arts Awards|publisher=Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Foundation|access-date=4 August 2015}}</ref> Egoyan is married to actress ], whom he has often cast in his films.
In ], he was made an Officer of the ].


==Early life and education==
==Filmography==
Egoyan was born Atom Yeghoyan on July 19, 1960,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2019/07/19/Famous-birthdays-for-July-19-Brian-May-Anthony-Edwards/2631563201127/|title=Famous birthdays for July 19|work=]|date=July 19, 2019|access-date=August 7, 2019|archive-date=July 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719123258/https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2019/07/19/Famous-birthdays-for-July-19-Brian-May-Anthony-Edwards/2631563201127/|url-status=live|quote=Filmmaker Atom Egoyan in 1960 (age 59)}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Today in History: July 19 |url=https://apnews.com/article/today-in-history-gay-rights-george-w-bush-samuel-alito-e8cc51ab72aaedcf69879722a1bef590 |access-date=November 24, 2022 |work=] |date=July 19, 2022}}</ref> in ], in what was then the ], to ]<ref name="waxman">{{cite news |last=Waxman |first=Sharon |title=ATOM EGOYAN'S PARTICLES OF FAITH |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/style/1997/12/14/atom-egoyans-particles-of-faith/c799322e-da25-45db-a85d-89cbbba1454f/ |access-date=November 24, 2022 |newspaper=] |date=December 14, 1997}}</ref><ref name="clarke">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/jan/21/atom-egoyan-adoration-chloe|newspaper=]|first=Cath|last=Clarke|title=The double life of Atom Egoyan|date=January 21, 2010}}</ref> painters<ref name="mckenna">{{cite news |last=McKenna |first=Kristine |title=This Director's Got a Brand Noir Bag |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-03-12-ca-41940-story.html |access-date=November 24, 2022 |newspaper=] |date=March 12, 1995}}</ref><ref name="onstad">{{cite news |last=Onstad |first=Katrina |title=Adapting to Life's Change, on Screen and Off |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/30/movies/30onst.html |access-date=November 24, 2022 |newspaper=] |date=August 27, 2009 |location=Toronto}}</ref> Shushan ({{nee|Devletian}}) and Joseph Yeghoyan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/5/Atom-Egoyan.html |title=Atom Egoyan Biography (1960-) |website=Filmreference.com |access-date=2015-09-10}}</ref> He was named Atom to mark the completion of ].<ref name="waxman" /><ref>{{cite book|title=Toronto|year=2007|publisher=]|location=], Australia|isbn=9781740598354|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0twBxkXe5DsC|page=28|author=Charles Rawlings-Way, Natalie Karneef|edition=3rd}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=ATOM EGOYAN - BIOGRAPHY|url=http://www.egs.edu/faculty/atom-egoyan/biography/|publisher=]|access-date=25 August 2013|quote=Atom Egoyan's name was a symbolic choice by his parents, named after the new nuclear reactor in Egypt.}}</ref> Egoyan has a younger sister, ].<ref>Interview with ] on ]'s programme '']'' on February 9, 2010. cf. http://www.cbc.ca/ideas/. Retrieved 2010-02-14.</ref>
* '']'' (])

* '']'' (])
In 1963, because of a rise in Arab nationalism, the family left Cairo and moved to ], British Columbia, in Canada.<ref name="clarke" /><ref name="mckenna" /><ref name="onstad" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Atom Egoyan Archive |url=http://collection.tiff.net/mwebcgi/mweb/mweb/mweb?request=record;id=403348;type=902 |website=] |access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Atom Egoyan Fonds |url=https://discoverarchives.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/atom-egoyan-fonds |website=] |access-date=24 November 2022 |date=2014}}</ref><ref name="waxman" /> They changed their last name to Egoyan.
* '']'' (])

* '']'' (])
As a teenager, Egoyan became interested in reading and writing plays. Influences included ] and ]. He also attributes his future in the film industry to ]'s '']'' (1966), which he viewed at age 14, according to an interview he had with journalist ] for '']'':
* '']'' (])

* '']'' (])
{{blockquote|It gave me an incredible respect for the medium and its possibilities. To me, ''Persona'' marries a pure form and a very profound vision with absolute conviction. It's very inspiring. I felt that it was able to open a door that wasn't there before.<ref>{{cite book |last=Elder |first=Robert K. |author-link=Robert K. Elder |title=] |date=2011 |publisher=] |page=179}}</ref>}}
* '']'' (])

* '']'' (])
Egoyan graduated from ] at the ]. It was at Trinity College that he came into contact with Harold Nahabedian, the Armenian-Canadian Anglican Chaplain of Trinity College. In interviews, Egoyan credited Nahabedian for introducing him to the language and history of his ethnic heritage. Egoyan wrote for the University of Toronto's independent weekly, '']'', during his time at the school.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atom Egoyan |url=https://alumni.utoronto.ca/news-and-stories/featured-alumni/atom-egoyan |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=University of Toronto Alumni |language=en}}</ref>
* '']'' (])

* '']'' (])
== Career ==
* '']'' (])
Egoyan began making films in the early 1980s; his debut film '']'' (1984) had a world premier at the ] and won a major prize. The next year he directed the 1985 '']'' episode "The Wall".

His commercial breakthrough came with his film '']'' (1994). He received the ] in Brussels, the ] at the ], and ] at the ] (then called the ]).

Egoyan's first attempt at adapted material resulted in his best-known work, the highly praised '']'' (1997). It earned him three prizes at the ]: the ], the FIPRESCI Jury Prize, and the ]. The film also earned Egoyan ] nominations for ] and ].

Beginning in 1996, Egoyan has directed several operas, including '']'', '']'', '']'', and '']'', at the Canadian Opera, Vancouver Opera, Pacific Opera Victoria, and elsewhere.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.schmopera.com/scene/people/atom-egoyan/|title=Atom Egoyan}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vicnews.com/entertainment/egoyans-opera-is-his-first-show-in-victoria-since-high-school/|title=Pacific Opera's Jenůfa is Egoyan's first Victoria show in 40 years|date=13 October 2017 }}</ref>

The film '']'' (2002) generated much publicity for Egoyan. After ]'s French-language film '']'' (1991), it was the first major motion picture to deal directly with the ]. ''Ararat'' later won the award for ] at the Canadian Screen Awards, marking Egoyan's third win. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/atom-egoyan |title=Atom Egoyan }}</ref> The film was released in over 30 countries around the world.

In 2004, Egoyan opened Camera Bar, a 50-seat cinema-lounge on ] in Toronto.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://nowtoronto.com/news/city-in-brief-2006-04-06/|title=Egoyan's Camera fades to black|date=2006-04-06|newspaper=]|access-date=2017-05-11|archive-date=2018-01-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105070357/https://nowtoronto.com/news/city-in-brief-2006-04-06/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The bar closed in 2006.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://urbantoronto.ca/forum/threads/camera-bar-shuts-down.2430/ | title=Camera Bar shuts down | date=21 March 2006 }}</ref>

Beginning in September 2006, Egoyan taught at the ] for three years.<ref>{{cite news |title=Teaching gig just another way to be creative, Egoyan says |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/teaching-gig-just-another-way-to-be-creative-egoyan-says-1.622105 |access-date=7 May 2022 |website=] |date=17 August 2006}}</ref> He joined the Faculty of Arts and Science as the Dean's Distinguished Visitor in theatre, film, music, and visual studies. He subsequently taught at ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Bio |url=http://www.egofilmarts.com/bio.html |website=Ego Film Arts |access-date=November 24, 2022}}</ref> In 2006, he received the Master of Cinema Award of the ].

His film '']'' has been adapted into an opera by Mary Kouyoumdjian and librettist ]. It premiered in New York in 2024 and is set to be presented again by ] in 2025. <ref>{{cite web| url=https://laopera.org/performances/2025/adoration| title=LA Opera Adoration}}</ref>

In 2009, he directed the erotic thriller '']'', which was theatrically released by ] on March 26, 2010. This film grossed $3 million in ] in the United States,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=chloe.htm |title=Chloe (2010) |website=] |access-date=February 3, 2012}}</ref> which was generally considered respectable for an ] release in thr 11early 2010's.<ref>{{cite news| work=] | title=Crash (or Requiem for a Dream) | first=Mary | last=Glucksman | date=Winter 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://variety.com/2010/film/features/specialty-pics-face-reduced-expectations-1118018219/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100430060632/http://variety.com/article/VR1118018219.html?categoryid=3768&cs=1 | url-status=live | archive-date=April 30, 2010 | work=Variety | title=Specialty pics face reduced expectations | first=Andrew | last=Stewart | date=April 24, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.questia.com/magazine/1P3-2813572781/hits-misses | work=] | title=Hits & Misses | first=Anthony | last=Kaufman | date=Winter 2012}}</ref> Several months after the DVD/Blu-ray release of ''Chloe'', Egoyan said that ''Chloe'' had made more money than any of his previous films.<ref name="Pevere">{{cite news| url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2010/12/07/the_digital_revolution_part_1.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220201932/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2010/12/07/the_digital_revolution_part_1.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=December 20, 2013 | newspaper=] | first=Geoff | last=Pevere | title=The Digital Revolution: Part 1 | date=December 7, 2010}}</ref><ref name="e-TF1">{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509170527/http://lci.tf1.fr/cinema/news/atom-egoyan-ryan-reynolds-m-a-semble-une-evidence-8542522.html |archive-date=May 9, 2015 |url=http://lci.tf1.fr/cinema/news/atom-egoyan-ryan-reynolds-m-a-semble-une-evidence-8542522.html |title=Atom Egoyan : "Ryan Reynolds m'a semblé une évidence" |publisher=MYTF1News |access-date=September 10, 2015}}</ref> The success of ''Chloe'' led Egoyan to receive many scripts of erotic thrillers.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100713/100713_chloe_DVD/20100713/ |title=Atom Egoyan sifts through sex thriller scripts in wake of 'Chloe' |work=] |date=2010-07-13 |access-date=2015-09-10}}</ref>

In 2012, he directed a production of ]'s ''Cruel and Tender''. <ref>{{cite news |last=DeMara |first=Bruce |title=Filmmaker Atom Egoyan loving his return to directing live theatre |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/2012/01/25/filmmaker_atom_egoyan_loving_his_return_to_directing_live_theatre.html |access-date=7 May 2022 |newspaper=] |date=25 January 2012}}</ref>

After the release of the ] from 18 years in prison, Egoyan directed a movie about the case called '']'' (2013) starring ] and ], based on a book, '']'' by ]. His next feature, '']'' (2014), starred ] and screened in competition for the ] at the ],<ref>{{cite web|last1=Vlessing|first1=Etan|title=Cannes: Atom Egoyan on Why 'The Captive' Will 'Redefine' Ryan Reynolds|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cannes-atom-egoyan-why-captive-704816|website=]|date=16 May 2014|access-date=4 August 2015}}</ref> where it received largely negative reviews from critics.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_captive_2014/|title=The Captive (2014)|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=February 14, 2016}}</ref> Justin Chang from '']'' described the film as "a ludicrous abduction thriller that finds a once-great filmmaker slipping into previously un-entered realms of self-parody."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/cannes-film-review-atom-egoyans-the-captive-1201183274/|title=Cannes Film Review: 'The Captive'|last=Chang|first=Justin|date=May 16, 2014|magazine=]}}</ref>

In 2015, Egoyan directed the thriller '']'', which starred ] and premiered at the ] in September, before being given a limited release in theatres.<ref>{{cite web|title=Remember - Gala Presentations|url=http://tiff.net/festivals/festival15/galapresentations/remember|website=]|access-date=4 August 2015|archive-date=10 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610173706/http://tiff.net/festivals/festival15/galapresentations/remember|url-status=dead}}</ref> His 2019 drama '']'', was nominated for a Golden Lion in competition in Venice in 2019, had a Special Presentation at the Toronto International Film Festival, and opening night galas in Vancouver and Montreal.
His latest film is '']''; the film was a Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) Official Selection with a special advance premiere at the Canadian Opera Company’s theatre, the ]. <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tiff.net/events/seven-veils-with-atom-egoyan | title=Seven Veils with Atom Egoyan }}</ref>

He has also occasionally appeared in films as an actor, most notably in his own film '']'' and ]'s ''] (La boîte à soleil)''.

== Personal life ==
] in 2013]]
Egoyan is based in Toronto, where he lives with his wife, actress ], who appears in many of his films, and their son, Arshile (named after the ] painter ]).

In 1999, Egoyan was made an Officer of the ]; he was promoted in 2015 to Companion of the Order of Canada, the highest grade of the honour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gg.ca/en/honours/recipients/146-7121|title=Order of Canada Appointment|website=The Governor General of Canada|access-date=31 December 2022}}</ref> In 2009, he won the 'Master of Cinema' award from the Mannheim Film Festival, 25 years after receiving his international festival premiere at the same event. In 2017, Egoyan was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the International Film Festival of India.

== Filmography ==
===Feature Films===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Director
! Writer
! Producer
|-
| 1984
| '']''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 1987
| '']''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes|Uncredited}}
|-
| 1989
| '']''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 1991
| data-sort-value="Adjuster, The" | '']''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 1993
| '']''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 1994
| '']''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 1997
| data-sort-value="Sweet Hereafter, The" | '']''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 1999
| '']''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|-
| 2002
| '']''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 2005
| '']''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes|Executive}}
|-
| 2006
| ''Citadel''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 2008
| '']''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 2009
| '']''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| 2013
| '']''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| 2014
| data-sort-value="Captive, The" | '']''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 2015
| '']''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| 2019
| '']''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 2023
| '']''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|}

===Short Films===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Director
! Writer
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1979
| ''Howard in Particular''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|
|-
| 1980
| ''After Grad with Dad''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|
|-
| 1981
| ''Peep Show''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|
|-
| 1982
| ''Open House''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|
|-
| 1985
| ''Men: A Passion Playground''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|
|-
| 1991
| ''En passant'' (''In Passing'')
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| Segment of '']''
|-
| 1995
| data-sort-value="Portrait of Arshile, A" | ''A Portrait of Arshile''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|
|-
| 2000
| data-sort-value="Line, The" | ''The Line''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| Segment of '']''
|-
| 2001
| ''Diaspora''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|
|-
| 2007
| ''Artaud Double Bill''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| Segment '']''
|-
| 2013
| ''Butterfly''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| Segment of ''Venezia 70 Future Reload''
|-
|}

===TV Films===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Director
! Writer
! Producer
|-
| 1986
| '']''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| 1993
| '']''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|-
| 1997
| '']''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 1988
| '']''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|-
| 2000
| '']''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
|}

==Awards==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Title !! Award
|-
| 1984 || '']'' || Won prizes at ]; nominated for Best Direction ]
|-
| 1987 || '']'' || Won the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury at ] (1988)
|-
| 1989 || '']'' || ] nomination, including five others, at the 1989 Genie Awards
|-
| 1991 || '']'' || Won the Special Silver St. George at the ],<ref name="Moscow1991">{{cite web|url=http://www.moscowfilmfestival.ru/miff34/eng/archives/?year=1991 |title=17th Moscow International Film Festival (1991) |access-date=2013-03-04 |work=] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140403102003/http://www.moscowfilmfestival.ru/miff34/eng/archives/?year=1991 |archive-date=2014-04-03 }}</ref> Best Canadian Film and Best Ontario Picture at Cinefest Sudbury (1991)
|-
| 1993 || '']'' || Won the Special Jury Prize at ] (1993)
|-
| 1994 || '']'' || Won the ] at the ]<ref name="cannes-1994.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/2964/year/1994.html|title=Festival de Cannes: Exotica|access-date=2009-08-26|work=]}}</ref>
|-
| 1997 || '']'' || Won Grand Prize of the Jury, FIPRESCI Jury and Ecumenical Jury Prizes at the ]<ref name="cannes-1997.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/4810/year/1997.html |title=Festival de Cannes: The Sweet Hereafter |access-date=2009-09-23 |work=] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822142730/http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/4810/year/1997.html |archive-date=2011-08-22 }}</ref>
|-
| 1999 || '']'' || Won the Best Adapted Screenplay at Genie Awards (2000)
|-
| 2002 || '']'' || Won Best Motion Picture at the 2003 Genie Awards; also won Genies for costume design and original score; in addition, Arsinée Khanjian won the best actress award and Elias Koteas best supporting actor at the 2003 Genie Awards; also won the Writers Guild of Canada award in 2003
|-
| 2005 || '']'' || Won the Best Adapted Screenplay at Genie Awards (2006)
|-
| 2008 || '']'' || Won the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury at the ], Best Canadian Feature Film – Special Jury Citation at ] (2008)
|-
| 2009 || '']'' || Nominated for the DGC Craft Award at the ] (2010)
|-
| 2013 || '']'' || Nominated for the Best Film Golden Seashell Award at ] (2013)
|-
| 2014 || '']'' || ] nomination at the ]
|-
| 2015 || '']'' || Won the Vittorio Veneto Film Festival Award – ] (2015)
|-
| 2019 || '']'' || Nominated for the ] (Leone d'Oro) at the ], opening nights at the ] and the ]
|-
| 2023 || '']'' || Avant Première, ] (2023); Special Gala, ] (2024); Opening Night Film, ] (2024); Opening Night & Best Canadian Film, ] (2024)
|}

==Bibliography==
* '']'', Volumina (2007)

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{Commons category|Atom Egoyan}}{{Archival records|title=Atom Egoyan fonds}}
*
* – official website
*
* – faculty page at ] (includes biography and video lectures)
* {{IMDb name|382}}
*
*
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707215935/http://rburnett.ecuad.ca/atom-egoyans-film-calendar/ |date=2015-07-07 }}
*

{{Atom Egoyan|state=autocollapse}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Atom Egoyan
|list =
{{ACCT Best Director}}
{{Golden Apricot Yerevan International Film Festival |state=autocollapse}}
{{TFCA Award for Best Director}}
{{IFFI - Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award}}
}}
{{Berlin International Film Festival jury presidents}}


{{Authority control}}
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]


] {{DEFAULTSORT:Egoyan, Atom}}
] ]
] ]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 15:19, 22 December 2024

Canadian filmmaker (born 1960)
Atom EgoyanCC
Egoyan in 2016
BornAtom Yeghoyan
(1960-07-19) July 19, 1960 (age 64)
Cairo, United Arab Republic
Citizenship
  • Canada
  • Armenia (from 2018)
Alma materTrinity College, Toronto
Occupations
  • Film director
  • screenwriter
  • producer
Years active1984–present
SpouseArsinée Khanjian
Children1
Websitewww.egofilmarts.com

Atom Egoyan CC (/ɛˈɡɔɪən/; Armenian: Ատոմ Եղոյեան; born July 19, 1960) is a Canadian filmmaker. Emerging in the 1980s as part of the Toronto New Wave, he made his career breakthrough with Exotica (1994), a film set in a strip club. Egoyan's most critically acclaimed film is the drama The Sweet Hereafter (1997), for which he received two Academy Award nominations. His biggest commercial success is the erotic thriller Chloe (2009).

Egoyan's works often explore themes of alienation and isolation, featuring characters whose interactions are mediated through technology, bureaucracy, or other power structures. His films often follow non-linear plot structures, in which events are placed out of sequence in order to elicit specific emotional reactions from the audience by withholding key information.

He received the 2008 Dan David Prize for "Creative Rendering of the Past" and the 2015 Governor General's Performing Arts Award. Egoyan is married to actress Arsinée Khanjian, whom he has often cast in his films.

Early life and education

Egoyan was born Atom Yeghoyan on July 19, 1960, in Cairo, in what was then the United Arab Republic, to Armenian-Egyptian painters Shushan (née Devletian) and Joseph Yeghoyan. He was named Atom to mark the completion of Egypt's first nuclear reactor. Egoyan has a younger sister, Eve.

In 1963, because of a rise in Arab nationalism, the family left Cairo and moved to Victoria, British Columbia, in Canada. They changed their last name to Egoyan.

As a teenager, Egoyan became interested in reading and writing plays. Influences included Samuel Beckett and Harold Pinter. He also attributes his future in the film industry to Ingmar Bergman's Persona (1966), which he viewed at age 14, according to an interview he had with journalist Robert K. Elder for The Film That Changed My Life:

It gave me an incredible respect for the medium and its possibilities. To me, Persona marries a pure form and a very profound vision with absolute conviction. It's very inspiring. I felt that it was able to open a door that wasn't there before.

Egoyan graduated from Trinity College at the University of Toronto. It was at Trinity College that he came into contact with Harold Nahabedian, the Armenian-Canadian Anglican Chaplain of Trinity College. In interviews, Egoyan credited Nahabedian for introducing him to the language and history of his ethnic heritage. Egoyan wrote for the University of Toronto's independent weekly, The Newspaper, during his time at the school.

Career

Egoyan began making films in the early 1980s; his debut film Next of Kin (1984) had a world premier at the International Filmfestival Mannheim-Heidelberg and won a major prize. The next year he directed the 1985 Twilight Zone episode "The Wall".

His commercial breakthrough came with his film Exotica (1994). He received the Grand Prix (Belgian Film Critics Association) in Brussels, the FIPRESCI Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, and Best Motion Picture at the Canadian Screen Awards (then called the Genie Awards).

Egoyan's first attempt at adapted material resulted in his best-known work, the highly praised The Sweet Hereafter (1997). It earned him three prizes at the 50th Cannes Film Festival: the Grand Prix, the FIPRESCI Jury Prize, and the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury. The film also earned Egoyan Academy Award nominations for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Beginning in 1996, Egoyan has directed several operas, including Salome, Così fan tutte, Jenůfa, and The Ring Cycle, at the Canadian Opera, Vancouver Opera, Pacific Opera Victoria, and elsewhere.

The film Ararat (2002) generated much publicity for Egoyan. After Henri Verneuil's French-language film Mayrig (1991), it was the first major motion picture to deal directly with the Armenian genocide. Ararat later won the award for Best Motion Picture at the Canadian Screen Awards, marking Egoyan's third win. The film was released in over 30 countries around the world.

In 2004, Egoyan opened Camera Bar, a 50-seat cinema-lounge on Queen Street West in Toronto. The bar closed in 2006.

Beginning in September 2006, Egoyan taught at the University of Toronto for three years. He joined the Faculty of Arts and Science as the Dean's Distinguished Visitor in theatre, film, music, and visual studies. He subsequently taught at Ryerson University. In 2006, he received the Master of Cinema Award of the International Filmfestival Mannheim-Heidelberg.

His film Adoration (2008 film) has been adapted into an opera by Mary Kouyoumdjian and librettist Royce Vavrek. It premiered in New York in 2024 and is set to be presented again by LA Opera in 2025.

In 2009, he directed the erotic thriller Chloe, which was theatrically released by Sony Pictures Classics on March 26, 2010. This film grossed $3 million in limited theatrical release in the United States, which was generally considered respectable for an arthouse film release in thr 11early 2010's. Several months after the DVD/Blu-ray release of Chloe, Egoyan said that Chloe had made more money than any of his previous films. The success of Chloe led Egoyan to receive many scripts of erotic thrillers.

In 2012, he directed a production of Martin Crimp's Cruel and Tender.

After the release of the West Memphis Three from 18 years in prison, Egoyan directed a movie about the case called Devil's Knot (2013) starring Reese Witherspoon and Colin Firth, based on a book, Devil's Knot: The True Story of the West Memphis Three by Mara Leveritt. His next feature, The Captive (2014), starred Ryan Reynolds and screened in competition for the Palme d'Or at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, where it received largely negative reviews from critics. Justin Chang from Variety described the film as "a ludicrous abduction thriller that finds a once-great filmmaker slipping into previously un-entered realms of self-parody."

In 2015, Egoyan directed the thriller Remember, which starred Christopher Plummer and premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, before being given a limited release in theatres. His 2019 drama Guest of Honour, was nominated for a Golden Lion in competition in Venice in 2019, had a Special Presentation at the Toronto International Film Festival, and opening night galas in Vancouver and Montreal. His latest film is Seven Veils (2023); the film was a Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) Official Selection with a special advance premiere at the Canadian Opera Company’s theatre, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

He has also occasionally appeared in films as an actor, most notably in his own film Calendar and Jean Pierre Lefebvre's The Box of Sun (La boîte à soleil).

Personal life

Egoyan with his wife Arsinée Khanjian in 2013

Egoyan is based in Toronto, where he lives with his wife, actress Arsinée Khanjian, who appears in many of his films, and their son, Arshile (named after the Armenian-American painter Arshile Gorky).

In 1999, Egoyan was made an Officer of the Order of Canada; he was promoted in 2015 to Companion of the Order of Canada, the highest grade of the honour. In 2009, he won the 'Master of Cinema' award from the Mannheim Film Festival, 25 years after receiving his international festival premiere at the same event. In 2017, Egoyan was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the International Film Festival of India.

Filmography

Feature Films

Year Title Director Writer Producer
1984 Next of Kin Yes Yes Yes
1987 Family Viewing Yes Yes Uncredited
1989 Speaking Parts Yes Yes Yes
1991 The Adjuster Yes Yes Yes
1993 Calendar Yes Yes Yes
1994 Exotica Yes Yes Yes
1997 The Sweet Hereafter Yes Yes Yes
1999 Felicia's Journey Yes Yes No
2002 Ararat Yes Yes Yes
2005 Where the Truth Lies Yes Yes Executive
2006 Citadel Yes Yes Yes
2008 Adoration Yes Yes Yes
2009 Chloe Yes No No
2013 Devil's Knot Yes No No
2014 The Captive Yes Yes Yes
2015 Remember Yes No No
2019 Guest of Honour Yes Yes Yes
2023 Seven Veils Yes Yes Yes

Short Films

Year Title Director Writer Notes
1979 Howard in Particular Yes Yes
1980 After Grad with Dad Yes Yes
1981 Peep Show Yes Yes
1982 Open House Yes Yes
1985 Men: A Passion Playground Yes No
1991 En passant (In Passing) Yes Yes Segment of Montreal Stories
1995 A Portrait of Arshile Yes Yes
2000 The Line Yes Yes Segment of Preludes
2001 Diaspora Yes No
2007 Artaud Double Bill Yes Yes Segment To Each His Own Cinema
2013 Butterfly Yes No Segment of Venezia 70 Future Reload

TV Films

Year Title Director Writer Producer
1986 In This Corner Yes No No
1993 Gross Misconduct Yes No No
1997 Sarabande Yes Yes Yes
1988 Looking for Nothing Yes Yes No
2000 Krapp's Last Tape Yes No No

Awards

Year Title Award
1984 Next of Kin Won prizes at International Filmfestival Mannheim-Heidelberg; nominated for Best Direction Genie Award
1987 Family Viewing Won the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury at Locarno International Film Festival (1988)
1989 Speaking Parts Best Motion Picture nomination, including five others, at the 1989 Genie Awards
1991 The Adjuster Won the Special Silver St. George at the 17th Moscow International Film Festival, Best Canadian Film and Best Ontario Picture at Cinefest Sudbury (1991)
1993 Calendar Won the Special Jury Prize at Taormina International Film Festival (1993)
1994 Exotica Won the FIPRESCI Prize at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival
1997 The Sweet Hereafter Won Grand Prize of the Jury, FIPRESCI Jury and Ecumenical Jury Prizes at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival
1999 Felicia's Journey Won the Best Adapted Screenplay at Genie Awards (2000)
2002 Ararat Won Best Motion Picture at the 2003 Genie Awards; also won Genies for costume design and original score; in addition, Arsinée Khanjian won the best actress award and Elias Koteas best supporting actor at the 2003 Genie Awards; also won the Writers Guild of Canada award in 2003
2005 Where the Truth Lies Won the Best Adapted Screenplay at Genie Awards (2006)
2008 Adoration Won the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival, Best Canadian Feature Film – Special Jury Citation at Toronto International Film Festival (2008)
2009 Chloe Nominated for the DGC Craft Award at the Directors Guild of Canada (2010)
2013 Devil's Knot Nominated for the Best Film Golden Seashell Award at San Sebastián International Film Festival (2013)
2014 The Captive Palme d'Or nomination at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival
2015 Remember Won the Vittorio Veneto Film Festival Award – Venice Film Festival (2015)
2019 Guest of Honour Nominated for the Golden Lion (Leone d'Oro) at the Venice Film Festival, opening nights at the Vancouver International Film Festival and the Festival du nouveau cinéma
2023 Seven Veils Avant Première, Toronto International Film Festival (2023); Special Gala, Berlin International Film Festival (2024); Opening Night Film, Yerevan International Film Festival (2024); Opening Night & Best Canadian Film, Victoria Film Festival (2024)

Bibliography

References

  1. "PM Pashinyan hands Armenian passports to Arsinée Khanjian and Atom Egoyan". Armenpress. 7 September 2018.
  2. "Say How: E". National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  3. ^ "Atom Egoyan Faculty Page at European Graduate School (Biography, bibliography and video lectures)". European Graduate School. Archived from the original on 23 October 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-06.
  4. Nestruck, J. Kelly (February 23, 2011). "Canstage lures Atom Egoyan back to the stage". The Globe and Mail.
  5. "Atom Egoyan - The Interview". Northernstars.ca. Archived from the original on 2013-10-17. Retrieved 2015-09-10.
  6. Dan David Prize Official site, Atom Egoyan Archived July 21, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  7. "Atom Egoyan - biography". Governor General's Performing Arts Awards. Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Foundation. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  8. "Famous birthdays for July 19". United Press International. July 19, 2019. Archived from the original on July 19, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2019. Filmmaker Atom Egoyan in 1960 (age 59)
  9. "Today in History: July 19". Associated Press. July 19, 2022. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  10. ^ Waxman, Sharon (December 14, 1997). "ATOM EGOYAN'S PARTICLES OF FAITH". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  11. ^ Clarke, Cath (January 21, 2010). "The double life of Atom Egoyan". The Guardian.
  12. ^ McKenna, Kristine (March 12, 1995). "This Director's Got a Brand Noir Bag". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  13. ^ Onstad, Katrina (August 27, 2009). "Adapting to Life's Change, on Screen and Off". The New York Times. Toronto. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  14. "Atom Egoyan Biography (1960-)". Filmreference.com. Retrieved 2015-09-10.
  15. Charles Rawlings-Way, Natalie Karneef (2007). Toronto (3rd ed.). Footscray, Victoria, Australia: Lonely Planet. p. 28. ISBN 9781740598354.
  16. "ATOM EGOYAN - BIOGRAPHY". European Graduate School. Retrieved 25 August 2013. Atom Egoyan's name was a symbolic choice by his parents, named after the new nuclear reactor in Egypt.
  17. Interview with Eleanor Wachtel on CBC Radio One's programme Ideas on February 9, 2010. cf. http://www.cbc.ca/ideas/. Retrieved 2010-02-14.
  18. "Atom Egoyan Archive". Toronto International Film Festival. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  19. "Atom Egoyan Fonds". University of Toronto. 2014. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  20. Elder, Robert K. (2011). The Film That Changed My Life. Chicago Review Press. p. 179.
  21. "Atom Egoyan". University of Toronto Alumni. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  22. "Atom Egoyan".
  23. "Pacific Opera's Jenůfa is Egoyan's first Victoria show in 40 years". 13 October 2017.
  24. "Atom Egoyan".
  25. "Egoyan's Camera fades to black". Now. 2006-04-06. Archived from the original on 2018-01-05. Retrieved 2017-05-11.
  26. "Camera Bar shuts down". 21 March 2006.
  27. "Teaching gig just another way to be creative, Egoyan says". CBC.ca. 17 August 2006. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  28. "Bio". Ego Film Arts. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  29. "LA Opera Adoration".
  30. "Chloe (2010)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  31. Glucksman, Mary (Winter 2009). "Crash (or Requiem for a Dream)". Filmmaker.
  32. Stewart, Andrew (April 24, 2010). "Specialty pics face reduced expectations". Variety. Archived from the original on April 30, 2010.
  33. Kaufman, Anthony (Winter 2012). "Hits & Misses". Filmmaker.
  34. Pevere, Geoff (December 7, 2010). "The Digital Revolution: Part 1". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on December 20, 2013.
  35. "Atom Egoyan : "Ryan Reynolds m'a semblé une évidence"". MYTF1News. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  36. "Atom Egoyan sifts through sex thriller scripts in wake of 'Chloe'". CP24. 2010-07-13. Retrieved 2015-09-10.
  37. DeMara, Bruce (25 January 2012). "Filmmaker Atom Egoyan loving his return to directing live theatre". Toronto Star. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  38. Vlessing, Etan (16 May 2014). "Cannes: Atom Egoyan on Why 'The Captive' Will 'Redefine' Ryan Reynolds". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  39. "The Captive (2014)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  40. Chang, Justin (May 16, 2014). "Cannes Film Review: 'The Captive'". Variety.
  41. "Remember - Gala Presentations". Toronto International Film Festival. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  42. "Seven Veils with Atom Egoyan".
  43. "Order of Canada Appointment". The Governor General of Canada. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  44. "17th Moscow International Film Festival (1991)". Moscow International Film Festival. Archived from the original on 2014-04-03. Retrieved 2013-03-04.
  45. "Festival de Cannes: Exotica". Cannes Film Festival. Retrieved 2009-08-26.
  46. "Festival de Cannes: The Sweet Hereafter". Cannes Film Festival. Archived from the original on 2011-08-22. Retrieved 2009-09-23.

External links

Archives at
LocationUniversity of Toronto Media Commons Edit this on Wikidata
Identifiers2014.001 Edit this on Wikidata
SourceAtom Egoyan fonds
How to use archival material
Films directed by Atom Egoyan
Feature films
TV films
Short films
Awards for Atom Egoyan
Canadian Screen Award for Best Director
Canadian Film Awards
1966–1978
Genie Awards
1980–2011
Canadian Screen Awards
2012–present
Golden Apricot Yerevan International Film Festival
By year
Key people
and venues
Toronto Film Critics Association Award for Best Director
IFFI Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award
1999–2020
IFFI Lifetime Achievement Award
2021–present
IFFI Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award
Berlin International Film Festival jury presidents
1956–1975
1976–2000
2001–present
Categories: