Justin Kuritzkes Explained

Justin Kuritzkes
Birth Date:5 May 1990
Birth Place:Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Education:Brown University (BA)
Years Active:2011–present

Justin Kuritzkes (born May 5, 1990) is an American playwright and novelist best known for writing the screenplay for the 2024 Luca Guadagnino sports romance Challengers.[1] He has also been the subject of media coverage because of his activities on YouTube, such as the 2011 video "Potion Seller".[2] [3]

Early life and education

Kuritzkes was born and raised in Los Angeles, California to a Jewish family.[4] [5] His father is a gastroenterologist and his mother practiced real estate law.[6]

In 2008, Kuritzkes graduated from Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles.[7]

Kuritzkes attended Brown University where he studied philosophy and literary arts. At Brown, Kuritzkes studied with playwrights Gregory Moss, Lisa D'Amour, and Erik Ehn, participated in Production Workshop,[8] and was involved in local protests affiliated with the Occupy movement.[9] Kuritzkes graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 2012.[10]

Career

Kuritzkes' one-act play An Autobiography of my Brother, first written for the 2008 Harvard-Westlake Playwrights Festival, was among the works honored at the 2010 Young Playwrights Competition.

Beginning during his time at Brown University, Kuritzkes uploaded videos recorded using the Photo Booth application to Youtube. The most famous of these videos, Potion Seller, went viral online and inspired parodies in publications including The New Yorker.[11]

Kuritzkes received a MacDowell Fellowship in both 2012 and 2016. In 2016, his play The Sensuality Party toured the university circuit of New York state.[12] [13] He released the novel Famous People in 2019.[14] [15]

Kuritzkes wrote the screenplay for Luca Guadagnino's romantic sports drama Challengers.[16] Ahead of the film's release, he was named one of the top 10 screenwriters to watch in 2023 by Variety.[17] He also adapted William S. Burroughs' 1985 novel Queer for a film directed by Guadagnino.[18]

In April 2024, Variety reported that Kuritzkes would write the screen adaptation of the Don Winslow novel City on Fire, set to star Austin Butler.[19]

Personal life

Kuritzkes has been married to filmmaker Celine Song since June 11, 2016. They live together in New York City.[20] [21]

Filmography

YearTitleNotes
2024Challengers
TBAPost-production
Pre-production

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Reijn . Halina . What Drove Justin Kuritzkes to Write the Year’s Horniest Movie? . 26 April 2024 . Interview Magazine.
  2. Web site: 2021-06-23. The Creator of the 2011 Viral Video 'Potion Seller' Reflects on the Infamous Meme a Decade Later. 2021-09-23. Laughing Squid. en-US. August 3, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210803042146/https://laughingsquid.com/justin-kuritzkes-potion-seller/. live.
  3. Web site: Sung. Morgan. 2018-10-14. The 'Potion Seller' guy is still making videos, and it's glorious. 2021-09-23. Mashable. en. September 28, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210928114535/https://mashable.com/article/potion-seller-justin-kuritzkes-youtube. live.
  4. Web site: 'Past Lives' Director Celine Song and Greta Lee Talk Endings and Beginnings (Exclusive). Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. February 8, 2024. May 15, 2024. seated between her husband, the Jewish-American writer Justin Kuritzkes.
  5. Web site: Justin Kuritzkes . MacDowell Fellowships . 26 April 2024.
  6. Web site: Coleman . Madeline Leung . 2024-04-23 . With Challengers, Justin Kuritzkes Serves an Ace . 2024-05-29 . Vulture . en.
  7. News: Rothberg . Daniel . Long Roads for Short Plays . 26 April 2024 . The Harvard-Westlake Chronicle.
  8. Web site: PW drama draws the audience in 'Closer' . 2024-05-29 . . en-US.
  9. Web site: Occupiers see lack of campus engagement with movement . 2024-05-29 . . en-US.
  10. Web site: May 27, 2012 . Brown University: The Two Hundred and Forty-Fourth Commencement . Brown University.
  11. 2018-10-26. Your Strongest Potion. 2021-09-23. The New Yorker. en-US. November 30, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211130063452/https://www.newyorker.com/humor/daily-shouts/your-strongest-potion. live.
  12. Web site: 2016-04-26. Discovery: Justin Kuritzkes. 2021-09-23. Interview Magazine. en-US. October 16, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211016092224/https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/discovery-justin-kuritzkes. live.
  13. Web site: Clement. Olivia. April 25, 2016. The Sensuality Party Begins Performances Tonight. 2021-09-23. Playbill. en. August 7, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200807232706/https://www.playbill.com/article/the-sensuality-party-begins-performances-tonight. live.
  14. Web site: Stephens. Christopher John. 'Famous People' Splashes in the Puddle of a Shallow Pop Star, PopMatters. 2021-09-23. PopMatters. August 19, 2019. en-US. July 2, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220702121022/https://www.popmatters.com/famous-people-by-justin-kuritzkes-2639859967.html. live.
  15. 2019-07-26. Summer, by the Book. 2021-09-23. The New Yorker. en-US. July 28, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210728182059/https://www.newyorker.com/podcast/the-new-yorker-radio-hour/summer-by-the-book. live.
  16. Web site: Kroll . Justin . 2022-02-11 . Luca Guadagnino Sets Zendaya, Josh O'Connor & Mike Faist To Star In 'Challengers' For MGM And Amy Pascal . 2022-08-18 . Deadline . en-US . June 23, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220623135731/https://deadline.com/2022/02/zendaya-josh-oconnor-mike-faist-challengers-luca-guadagnino-1234931787/ . live .
  17. News: Variety’s 10 Screenwriters to Watch for 2023 Include Scribes for ‘The Marvels,’ ‘Rustin’ and ‘The Color Purple’ . 26 April 2024 . Variety.
  18. Web site: Vivarelli . Nick . 2023-04-21 . Drew Starkey to Star With Daniel Craig in Luca Guadagnino's 'Queer' With Filming Starting This Month in Italy (EXCLUSIVE) . 2023-04-21 . Variety . en-US.
  19. News: Fleming Jr. . Mike . Sony’s 3000 Taps ‘Challengers’ Justin Kuritzkes To Adapt Don Winslow’s ‘City On Fire’ For Austin Butler; ‘Barbie’s David Heyman Boards Trilogy . 26 April 2024 . Variety.
  20. Web site: Dalton . Ben . February 19, 2023 . Celine Song talks debut feature 'Past Lives': "It's the script that convinced people I can do this" . June 20, 2023. Screen . en.
  21. Web site: Rao. Mallika. 2023-02-19 . Celine Song on 'Past Lives', Her Debut Movie . June 20, 2023. Vulture . en.

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