Karyn Kusama facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Karyn Kusama
Born	Karyn Kiyoko Kusama (1968-03-21) March 21, 1968 (age 57) St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Alma mater	New York University
Occupation	Filmmaker
Years active	1996–present
Spouse(s)	Phil Hay ​ (m. 2006)​
Children	1

Karyn Kiyoko Kusama (born March 21, 1968) is an American filmmaker known for directing exciting and thought-provoking movies. She first became famous for her sports drama film Girlfight (2000). For this movie, she won major awards at the Sundance Film Festival.

Kusama has directed a variety of films. These include the science fiction movie Æon Flux (2005) and the horror-comedy Jennifer's Body (2009). She also directed the thriller The Invitation (2015) and the crime drama Destroyer (2018).

Besides movies, Kusama works in television. She is a director and executive producer for the popular series Yellowjackets (2021–present). Her work on the show earned her two nominations for the Primetime Emmy Awards.

Early Life and Film Inspiration

Karyn Kusama was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Her father, Haruo Kusama, was a child psychiatrist from Japan. Her mother, Susan McGuire, was an occupational therapist. Growing up, Karyn loved watching movies. She felt that films helped her feel understood.

She was inspired by female directors like Martha Coolidge, who directed Valley Girl, and Amy Heckerling, who directed Fast Times at Ridgemont High. After high school, she went to New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. She graduated in 1990 with a degree in Film & Television.

Before becoming a famous director, Kusama had many different jobs. She worked as a nanny, a house painter, and an editor. She also helped on the sets of independent films and music videos. In 1992, she started boxing, which later gave her the idea for her first movie, Girlfight.

Career as a Filmmaker

Starting with Girlfight

After college, Kusama worked as an assistant to filmmaker John Sayles. During this time, she wrote the script for Girlfight. It was hard to find money to make the film. This was because she insisted the main character be a Latina actress.

Finally, with help from John Sayles, the movie was made. Girlfight was released in 2000 and was a huge success at film festivals. It won top prizes at the Sundance Film Festival and the Cannes Film Festival. The movie also launched the career of actress Michelle Rodriguez.

Big Budget Movies

In 2005, Kusama directed Æon Flux, a big-budget science fiction movie starring Charlize Theron. The movie studio made many changes to the film that Kusama did not agree with. After this, she decided she would only work on movies where she had final creative control.

Her next film was the horror-comedy Jennifer's Body (2009), written by Diablo Cody. The movie starred Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried. When it first came out, critics had mixed opinions. However, it has since become a cult classic, meaning it has gained a dedicated fan base over time. Many people now see it as a "forgotten feminist classic" because of its strong female characters and perspective.

Independent Films and Television

After 2010, Kusama directed more independent films and began working in television. In 2015, she directed the horror film The Invitation. The movie was praised by critics and won several awards at international film festivals. Because it had a small budget, Kusama had the creative freedom she wanted.

In 2017, she directed a short film called "Her Only Living Son" for the horror movie XX. The next year, she directed Destroyer, a crime drama starring Nicole Kidman. Kidman's performance in the movie received very positive reviews.

Kusama is also a successful television director. She has directed episodes for many popular shows, including Halt and Catch Fire, Billions, and The Outsider. She is currently an executive producer and director for the hit series Yellowjackets.

Her Unique Filmmaking Style

Kusama's films are known for having strong female main characters. She has said she is a feminist and wants to break down barriers for women in the film industry. Her stories often explore difficult emotions like loss and anxiety. She wants her films to feel real and connect with the audience.

She pays close attention to the look and feel of her movies. The lighting, colors, and music are all chosen carefully to reflect the characters' feelings. For example, she often uses dim lighting and unique camera angles to create a sense of tension and mystery.

Personal Life

Kusama married screenwriter Phil Hay in 2006. They have one son. Hay has co-written several of Kusama's films, including The Invitation and Destroyer, with his writing partner Matt Manfredi.

Kusama has said that she is inspired by filmmakers like Jonathan Glazer and Jacques Audiard. She was first inspired to make movies about women after seeing Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Valley Girl as a teenager.

Filmography

Film

• Girlfight (2000) (also writer)
• Æon Flux (2005)
• Jennifer's Body (2009)
• The Invitation (2015)
• Destroyer (2018)

Short film

Television

Awards and Nominations