Darren Aronofsky Film Keynote at SXSW 2018 [Video]

"Stories were this universal language that we all share on the planet. The most modern tool for stories is filmmaking."

During the 2018 SXSW Film Keynote, Darren Aronofsky explores his filmmaker beginnings and the art of storytelling. "I'll never forget the first time I made a cut of sound and image, and it just rocked my world. When I learned the power of montage, it was the first thing that sort of kept me away from going to parties. I would stay up all night in the basement of the editing facility in college, and I would just cut, I would cut for hours. I would cut for everyone, I just loved it. It's the first and only time I got an 'A' in college," he said on Saturday, March 10 at the SXSW Conference.

In his speech, Aronofsky discussed the 10 Commandments of Indie Film in relation to his films and experiences:

1. Make the film only you can make.
2. Persistence is 9/10ths of the game.
3. Work like a family.
4. Do your homework.
5. Adapt to reality.
6. Don’t be afraid of your actors.
7. Where is my audience?
8. Commit to the vision, and see it through to the end.
9. Let your child go, you never finish a film, you abandon a film.
10. Give a shit.

Brooklyn born and raised, Academy Award®-nominated director Darren Aronofsky is the founder of Protozoa Pictures. He is the writer and director of mother! starring Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Ed Harris, and Michelle Pfeiffer. Last year, Aronofsky produced Jackie. He directed, co-wrote, and produced Noah (2014). Before that he directed the indie box office phenomenon, Black Swan (2010). It starred Natalie Portman who won an Academy Award® for her performance. Aronofsky directed and produced The Wrestler (2008). His earlier credits include directing and writing the acclaimed films: The Fountain (2006); Requiem for a Dream (2000); and Pi (1998).

"Film is so exciting when it's used in a humanist way to express true, honest emotion – it reminds us that we're all one."

Watch the video above for the full 2018 SXSW Film Keynote with Darren Aronofsky. Get inspired by a multitude of diverse visionaries at SXSW – browse more 2018 Keynotes, Featured Sessions, Red Carpets, and Q&A’s on our YouTube Channel.

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2018 SXSW Film Keynote Speaker Darren Aronofsky - Photo by Bryn Beausoleil