Benny Safdie Explained

Benny Safdie
Birth Name:Benjamin Safdie
Birth Date:24 February 1986
Birth Place:New York City, U.S.
Education:Boston University
Occupation:Film director, screenwriter, actor, film editor
Children:2
Yearsactive:2007–present

Benjamin Safdie (born February 24, 1986)[1] is an American film director, screenwriter, actor, and film editor best known for working with his older brother Josh as a filmmaker. His directorial works include Heaven Knows What (2014), Good Time (2017), and Uncut Gems (2019). Transitioning towards acting, Safdie was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male for his role in Good Time and has since taken on roles in films such as Licorice Pizza (2021), Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. and Oppenheimer (both 2023). He co-created, co-wrote and starred in the television show The Curse (2023).

Early life

Safdie was born to Amy and Alberto Safdie; of Syrian Jewish descent and was raised in New York.[2] He and brother Josh divided their childhood living between their father in Queens and their mother and stepfather in Manhattan upon their parents' divorce.[2] He attended Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School[2] and graduated from the Boston University College of Communication in 2008.

Career

Filmmaker

See main article: Safdie brothers. The Safdies' first feature was the 2009 film Daddy Longlegs, which they also wrote the screenplay and edited together.[3] The film was showcased in the Directors' Fortnight at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.[4] In 2013, they debuted the documentary film Lenny Cooke at the Tribeca Film Festival,[5] a documentary they became attached to after Cooke approached them to review the footage.[6] In 2014, the pair premiered their next film Heaven Knows What at the 71st Venice International Film Festival.[7] In February 2016, the brothers began filming their crime thriller film Good Time. which Benny starred in alongside Robert Pattinson, in New York City.[8] It premiered at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, where it competed for the Palme d'Or.[9] Benny, for his performance, was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male.[10]

Uncut Gems, Josh and Benny's next film, starred Adam Sandler, Lakeith Stanfield and Julia Fox and was executive produced by Martin Scorsese.[11] The brothers won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Director, and Benny shared the Independent Spirit Award for Best Editing with Ronald Bronstein, with whom he co-edited with on all the Safdie brother films.[12]

Safdie and Nathan Fielder co-created the Showtime series The Curse, which premiered in November 2023.[13]

Acting roles

In 2017, Safdie began taking on performances not directed by himself or Josh, appearing in a role in the film Person to Person.[14] In 2020, he appeared in Pieces of a Woman,[15] and in 2021 had a large supporting role in the Paul Thomas Anderson film Licorice Pizza.[16]

In 2022, Safdie appeared in Claire Denis' romantic thriller Stars at Noon,[17] and as Nari in the Disney+ miniseries Obi-Wan Kenobi.[18] In 2023, he starred in the film adaptation Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.,[19] and appears as Edward Teller in Oppenheimer, directed by Christopher Nolan.[20]

Personal life

Safdie is Jewish. His father was born in Italy, raised in France and is of Sephardic-Jewish and Syrian-Jewish descent.[2] [21] [22] [23] His mother is of Russian-Jewish descent.[24] His great uncle is architect Moshe Safdie. His cousin once removed is playwright Oren Safdie.[25]

He is married to Ava Safdie (Rawski), with whom he has two sons, Cosmo and Murray James.[26]

Filmography

As Safdie brothers

YearTitleDirectorWriterwidth=65EditorNotes
2006If You See Something, Say Somethingshort film
The Ralph Handel Storyshort film
Life with Zach Muldenshort film
2008The Pleasure of Being Robbed
There's Nothing You Can Doshort film
John's Lonely Trip to Coney Islandshort film
2009Daddy Longlegs
2010John's GoneShort film; also producer
2013Lenny Cooke
2014Heaven Knows What
2017Good Time
2019Uncut Gems
2020Goldman v Silvermanshort film
Question & Answershort film
2022Funny Pagesproducer

Benny Safdie only

YearTitleDirectorWriterEditorNotes
2007What To Do When ChokingShort film
2008The Story of Charles RiverbankShort film
The Acquaintances of a Lonely JohnShort film; also producer
2025The Smashing MachineAlso producer[27]

As actor

Film

YearTitleRoleDirectorNotes
2017Person to PersonEugeneDustin Guy Defa
Good TimeNick NikasSafdie brothers
2020Pieces of a WomanChrisKornél Mundruczó
2021Licorice PizzaJoel WachsPaul Thomas Anderson
2022Stars at NoonCIA ManClaire Denis
2023Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.Herb SimonKelly Fremon Craig
OppenheimerEdward TellerChristopher Nolan

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2016TogethernessCraddock Brother #21 episode
2022Obi-Wan KenobiNariMiniseries, 1 episode
2023The CurseDougie SchecterMain role; also co-creator, writer and editor

Awards and nominations

See main article: List of awards and nominations received by Safdie brothers.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Benny Safdie. AlloCiné. September 28, 2019. June 6, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090606190133/http://www.allocine.fr/personne/fichepersonne_gen_cpersonne=222248.html. live.
  2. The Safdie Brothers' Full-Immersion Filmmaking. The New Yorker. Kelefa. Sanneh. December 16, 2019. December 21, 2019. December 9, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191209161747/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/12/16/the-safdie-brothers-full-immersion-filmmaking. live.
  3. Web site: Macaulay . Scott . Daddy Longlegs Josh and Benny Safdie . . January 30, 2022 . January 28, 2010 . October 23, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191023114629/https://filmmakermagazine.com/sundance_features/2010/01/daddy-long-legs-josh-and-bennie-safdie.html . live .
  4. Web site: Quinzaine 2009 . quinzaine-realisateurs.com . July 22, 2017 . August 24, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160824023605/http://www.quinzaine-realisateurs.com/qz_an/2009/ . live .
  5. Web site: 'Lenny Cooke' Directors Josh and Benny Safdie Explore What Happened to the American Dream. Tribeca Film Festival. Karen. Kemmerle. April 15, 2013. October 19, 2019. October 19, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191019105050/https://www.tribecafilm.com/stories/safdie-brothers-lenny-cooke. dead.
  6. Web site: Hoop Dreams: Josh and Benny Safdie on Lenny Cooke. Filmmaker. Brandon. Harris. December 6, 2013. October 19, 2019. March 14, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200314194756/https://filmmakermagazine.com/82772-hoop-dreams-josh-and-benny-safdie-on-lenny-cooke/. live.
  7. Web site: Scott . Foundas . 'Heaven Knows What' Review: The Safdies Take a Step Forward . . August 28, 2014 . May 28, 2015 . August 30, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140830082617/https://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/venice-film-review-heaven-knows-what-1201293201/ . live .
  8. News: On the Set for 1/8/16: Robert Pattinson Starts on the Feature, 'Good Time' While Michael Fassbender & Marion Cotillard Wrap 'Assassin's Creed'. January 9, 2016. SSN Insider. January 8, 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160109234920/http://www.ssninsider.com/on-the-set-for-1816-robert-pattinson-starts-on-the-feature-good-time-while-michael-fassbender-marion-cotillard-wrap-assassins-creed/. January 9, 2016.
  9. Web site: The 2017 Official Selection. Cannes. April 13, 2017. April 13, 2017. April 17, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170417035419/http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/actualites/articles/the-2017-official-selection. dead.
  10. Web site: 2018 Independent Spirit Award Nominations: 'Get Out' and 'Call Me by Your Name' Dominate . Sharf . Zach . November 21, 2017 . . March 4, 2018 . November 22, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171122024830/https://www.indiewire.com/2017/11/2018-independent-spirit-award-nominations-1201899835/ . live .
  11. Web site: Safdie Brothers' 'Uncut Gems' Scores Financing From RT Features & Scorsese's Sikelia – Cannes. Deadline Hollywood. Patrick. Hipes. September 28, 2018. September 28, 2018. May 17, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160517064625/https://deadline.com/2016/05/uncut-gems-movie-bennie-safdie-josh-safdie-martin-scorsese-rt-features-1201757418/. live.
  12. Web site: Independent Spirit Awards Redresses Female Balance With Wins For Lulu Wang, Olivia Wilde & Julia Reichert – Complete Winners List . Blyth . Antonia . D'Alessandro . Anthony . February 8, 2020 . . February 8, 2020 . February 9, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200209010145/https://deadline.com/2020/02/spirit-awards-2020-winners-35-film-independent-spirit-awards-1202854430/ . live .
  13. Web site: White . Peter . Emma Stone To Star In Comedy Series The Curse From Nathan Fielder & Safdie Brothers For Showtime . . January 26, 2022 . December 10, 2020 . December 10, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201210190220/https://deadline.com/2020/12/emma-stone-the-curse-showtime-nathan-fielder-safdie-brothers-1234653958/ . live .
  14. Web site: Kohn . Eric . Tragedy, Neurosis, Sundance: The Long, Strange Journey of Person to Person Director Dustin Guy Defa . . January 14, 2022 . January 20, 2017 . January 21, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170121035148/https://www.indiewire.com/2017/01/person-to-person-director-dustin-guy-defa-michael-cera-interview-sundance-2017-1201770611/ . live .
  15. Web site: D'Alessandro . Anthony . Sarah Snook & Benny Safdie Join 'Pieces Of A Woman; Jaime Zevallos & Adrienne Lovette Board A Boy Like That . . January 14, 2022 . January 21, 2020 . January 22, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200122150311/https://deadline.com/2020/01/sarah-snook-benny-safdie-pieces-of-a-woman-jaime-zevallos-adrienne-lovette-a-boy-like-that-cast-1202837557/ . live .
  16. Web site: Sneider . Jeff . Benny Safdie to Play Gay Politician in Paul Thomas Anderson's New '70s Movie . . January 14, 2022 . August 31, 2020 . September 2, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200902032829/https://collider.com/benny-safdie-paul-thomas-anderson-movie-cast/ . live .
  17. Web site: Stars at Noon. April 29, 2022. Ad Vitam Distribution. April 30, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220430152318/https://www.advitamdistribution.com/films/stars-at-noon/. live.
  18. Web site: D'Alessandro . Anthony . Obi-Wan Kenobi To Start Production In April; Disney+ Series Cast Includes Joel Edgerton Returning To Star Wars Franchise . . January 14, 2022 . March 29, 2021 . March 29, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210329142104/https://deadline.com/2021/03/obi-wan-kenobi-to-start-production-in-april-disney-announces-cast-including-joel-edgerton-returning-to-star-wars-franchise-1234723648/ . live .
  19. Web site: Sneider . Jeff . Exclusive: Benny Safdie Joins Rachel McAdams in Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret Movie . . January 14, 2022 . April 7, 2021 . April 7, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210407210414/https://collider.com/benny-safdie-are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret-movie/ . live .
  20. Web site: Grobar . Matt . Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer Adds Florence Pugh, Rami Malek & Benny Safdie . . January 14, 2022 . December 9, 2021 . December 9, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211209224818/https://deadline.com/2021/12/oppenheimer-adds-florence-pugh-rami-malek-benny-safdie-1234888295/ . live .
  21. Web site: Being The Safdie Brothers. The Jewish Week. George. Robinson. August 17, 2010. December 4, 2017. August 8, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170808084815/http://jewishweek.timesofisrael.com/being-the-safdie-brothers/. live.
  22. News: The Safdie Brothers Are Classic New York Hustlers. The Fader. Amos. Barshad. August 21, 2017. November 14, 2019. January 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200127003652/http://www.thefader.com/2017/08/21/safdie-brothers-good-time-movie-interview-buddy-duress-robert-pattinson. live.
  23. Web site: Life as lived by a homeless junkie. The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. Naomi. Pfefferman. June 17, 2015. November 2, 2019. May 6, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170506213234/https://jewishjournal.com/current_edition/175070/. live.
  24. Web site: Hoops Hoopla + Precious Stones = Mayhem. East Bay Express. Kelly. Vance. December 25, 2019. January 10, 2020. December 26, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191226140158/https://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/hoops-hoopla-precious-stones-mayhem/Content?oid=28255866. live.
  25. Web site: Foley . Euan . A Brief History of the Safdie Brothers . Port Magazine . January 31, 2022 . June 29, 2020 . July 13, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200713220308/https://www.port-magazine.com/film/a-brief-history-of-the-safdie-brothers/ . live .
  26. Web site: Zeitchik . Steven . Safdie brothers bring a New York flavor to breakout thriller Good Time . . January 14, 2022 . August 10, 2017 . August 10, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170810140242/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-safdie-brothers-good-time-20170810-story.html . live .
  27. Web site: Shanfield . Ethan . Benny Safdie to Direct Dwayne Johnson in A24 Movie About MMA Legend Mark Kerr . Variety . December 13, 2023 . 13 December 2023.

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