Brian De Palma

Brian Russell De Palma (born September 11, 1940) is an American film director and screenwriter known for his stylish thrillers and crime dramas. While born in Newark, New Jersey, De Palma spent his formative years in Philadelphia and attended high school in the city before embarking on one of the most distinctive careers in American cinema.

Philadelphia Connection

De Palma's family moved to Philadelphia when he was young. He attended Friends' Central School in the city, where he developed early interests in science before discovering his passion for filmmaking.

He later attended Columbia University and Sarah Lawrence College, where he transitioned from physics to theater and film, beginning his journey as a director.

Film Career

Breakthrough

After making several low-budget films in the 1960s and early 1970s, De Palma broke through with a series of suspense thrillers that established his signature style:

• Sisters (1972)
• Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
• Carrie (1976) - Adapted from Stephen King's novel
• Dressed to Kill (1980)
• Blow Out (1981) - Set and filmed in Philadelphia

Major Works

De Palma went on to direct some of the most iconic films of the 1980s and beyond:

• Scarface (1983) - Cult classic crime epic
• The Untouchables (1987) - Academy Award-nominated gangster film
• Carlito's Way (1993)
• Mission: Impossible (1996)
• Snake Eyes (1998)
• Femme Fatale (2002)

Directorial Style

De Palma is known for:

• Elaborate tracking shots and split-screen sequences
• Homages to Alfred Hitchcock
• Suspenseful set pieces
• Stylized violence
• Complex narratives with twists

He is often grouped with the "New Hollywood" directors who emerged in the 1970s, including Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, and George Lucas.

Blow Out (1981)

Blow Out holds particular significance for Philadelphia. The thriller, starring John Travolta, was set and filmed extensively in the city. The film features iconic Philadelphia locations and culminates during a Liberty Day celebration, using the city's Revolutionary War heritage as a backdrop for its conspiracy thriller plot.

The film is now considered one of De Palma's masterpieces and offers a distinctive cinematic portrait of early 1980s Philadelphia.

Recognition

• Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement - Venice Film Festival (2015)
• David di Donatello Lifetime Achievement Award
• Multiple Academy Award nominations (technical categories)

See Also

• Philadelphia Film Festival
• Friends Select School
• M. Night Shyamalan