Timothy Sean Durkin (born December 9, 1981) is a Canadian-American film director, screenwriter, and producer. Durkin is known for directing the critically acclaimed independent films Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011), The Nest (2020), and The Iron Claw (2023). He is also known for directing episodes of the Channel 4 series Southcliffe (2013) and the Amazon Prime Video miniseries Dead Ringers (2023).
Early life and education Durkin was born in Canada and moved to England soon thereafter; he was raised in North London and in Surrey until his family moved to Manhattan when he was 12.Frank Lovece, "Who is Martha Marcy May Marlene? Sean Durkin debuts with acclaimed drama of young cult refugee." Film Journal, September 21, 2011. Durkin graduated from Kent School in Kent, Connecticut in 2000,"Sean Durkin '00 Captures the Indie Film World", Kent School news, November 2011 (accessed 2012-05-26). then attended the film school at New York University, where he graduated in 2005 and delivered his thesis film in 2006. He moved to Williamsburg, Brooklyn in 2008.
Career In an interview with Robert K. Elder for the book The Best Film You've Never Seen, Durkin said, “When I make a film, I think about things that scare me. My exploration of those things is to try and wrap my head around them and confront them.”Durkin, Sean. The Best Film You've Never Seen. by Robert Elder. Chicago: Chicago Review Press 2013 Durkin is a founding member of Borderline Films with fellow directors Antonio Campos and Josh Mond. Durkin started his career directing several short films starting with Doris in 2006. His short film, Mary Last Seen won the award for best short film at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival Directors' Fortnight."Sean Durkin: Director Sean Durkin returns to Cannes with Sundance hit Martha Marcy May Marlene after winning Best Short at Directors' Fortnight last year." Jason Guerrasio, Screen Daily, May 15, 2011. Durkin adapted the short into his first feature length film, the psychological-thriller Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011) which was starred Elizabeth Olsen, John Hawkes, and Sarah Paulson. The film revolves around a woman suffering from paranoia after returning to her family from an abusive cult in the Catskill Mountains. The film premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival where he won the Dramatic Directing Award. The film received positive reviews with Christy Lemire of the Associated Press naming it the best film of 2011.
In 2013, Durkin directed the Channel 4 drama series Southcliffe, starring Sean Harris and Rory Kinnear."Southcliffe: TV that threatens the status quo", Rebecca Nicholson, The Guardian, July 21, 2013. His second film, another psychological drama, The Nest (2020) starred Carrie Coon and Jude Law. The film follows a couple whose marriage dissolves once they move from New York to London. Film critic Richard Lawson of Vanity Fair declared the film the best film of the year. The film received six British Independent Film Award nominations including three awards Durkin for Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best British Independent Film. Durkin then directed his third film the A24 drama The Iron Claw (2023), starring Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, and Lily James. The film is a biography based on the Von Erich family of wrestlers.
Favorite films Durkin participated in the 2012 Sight & Sound Directors' Poll, which is held once every 10 years for contemporary filmmakers to select their 10 favourite films in no particular order, his selections were:
3 Women (USA, 1977) The Birds (USA, 1963) The Conformist (Italy, 1970) The Goonies (USA, 1985) Jaws (USA, 1975) The Panic in Needle Park (USA, 1971) Persona (Sweden, 1966) The Piano Teacher (France, 2001) Rosemary's Baby (USA, 1968) The Shining (USA, 1980)
Filmography Short films Year Title Director Writer Producer 2006 Doris 2007 The Last 15 2008 A Long Way Home 2010 Mary Last Seen Kids in Love 2013 Karaoke! 1009 2014 Tzniut
Films Year Title Director Writer Producer 2011 Martha Marcy May Marlene 2020 The Nest 2023 The Iron Claw 2027 Deep Cuts
Executive producer
Two Gates of Sleep (2010) The Eyes of My Mother (2016) Christine (2016) Katie Says Goodbye (2016) Piercing (2018) The Rental (2020)
Producer
Afterschool (2008) Simon Killer (2012) James White (2015)
Television Year Title Director ExecutiveProducer Notes 2013 Southcliffe Miniseries 2023 Dead Ringers 3 episodes
Music videos "Air Traffic Control" by Louis XIV (2008) "Your Love Is Killing Me" by Sharon Van Etten (2014)
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Title Result2014 BAFTA TV Award Best Mini-Series Southcliffe 2021 British Independent Film Award Best British Independent Film The Nest Best Director Best Screenplay 2010 Cannes Film Festival SFR Prize Mary Last Seen 2011 Un Certain Regard Martha Marcy May Marlene 2008 Independent Spirit Awards Best First Feature Afterschool 2011 Martha Marcy May Marlene 2015 James White 2010 Sundance Film Festival Short Filmmaking Award Mary Last Seen 2011 Grand Jury Prize Martha Marcy May Marlene Directing Award
References
External links