The master class“Finding the Language of a Film: A Conversation with Darren Aronofsky”was presented at the Guadalajara International Film Festival (FICG) before an auditorium filled with students and attendees eager to learn from the renowned filmmaker.
Known for a provocative and disruptive career, Aronofsky is the mastermind behind groundbreaking films such as *Requiem for a Dream* (2000), *Black Swan* (2010), and *The Whale* (2022)—stories that explore tormented characters who, consumed by their obsessions, are pushed to their limits.
Moderated by journalist Gonzalo Lira, the conversation with the American director and screenwriter offered a brief overview of the start of his career as a director, the development of his highly unconventional creative process, and how his approach to storytelling has evolved.
The early stages of Aronofsky's career were shaped by drawing and collaboration. He discovered that helping someone else make their films was the best way to learn, while his academic training led him to rethink stories from a visual perspective.
Darren realized that, in order to do something out of the ordinary, it was essential to take into account a project’s financial constraints, build relationships with people who could produce his films, get them to believe in his projects, and attract others’ attention by doing things differently.
For him, honesty and communication are fundamental pillars for building trust and conveying the passion behind a story. Meanwhile, the way he works on set, his ability to decide whether something works or not, his dialogue with the actors, and his understanding of how the audience will relate to the story are all aspects that are underpinned by these two values.
Aronofsky has never been interested in telling “Hollywood-style” stories, but rather in constantly exploring the psychology of his characters. His narratives also feature a “hero’s journey”: the characters seek greatness on their own terms while facing constant challenges.
The characters in his films are often pushed with such intensity to a breaking point that one might think the filmmaker works in the same way with the cast in particular. However, he noted that the seriousness and intensity with which he approaches a shoot are not at odds with humor and playfulness on set.
His keen eye plays a crucial role, as he uses it to undertake a meticulous search and find a connection between the lives of the actors and actresses and the roles they will play in each of his films. Thus, his choice of Mickey Rourke, Brendan Fraser, and Jennifer Connelly for his films was no coincidence.
That said, he explained that in order to connect with the people who will star in his films, “it has to be something like going on dates with someone.” In other words: “It’s a relationship built on trust. It’s about spending a lot of time with them and creating experiences.”
More than technique, what truly matters to Aronofsky is sensitivity and emotion. The script must be powerful enough, while the actors must be deeply immersed in the story’s world to become the vehicle that allows it to be told in a way that conveys emotions with passion.
During the most anticipated part of the master class, the Q&A session with the audience sparked interesting conversations, particularly for students and industry professionals. This section covered topics such as choosing a script; working with sound, scene composition, and editing; and even the decision to direct performers from different cultural backgrounds.
Aronofsky suggested that what matters is choosing stories that spark creativity, that resonate deeply with you as a human being, and that—no matter who you’re collaborating with—you’re fully engaged throughout the entire process. The important thing about working with someone, he noted, is to value their talent regardless of gender or skin color.
The conversation also touched on interesting tidbits, such as the filmmaker’s interest in working with figures like Michel Franco, whose film *Nuevo orden* (2020) made a big impression on him.
Finally, one of the last concerns raised by the audience centered on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the industry and how it would affect, above all, departments with 100% manual work, such as costume design and set design, as well as the overall impact this will have on filmmaking.
“I don’t know if we can just sit back and ignore it, because I think it’s here—people are using it, things are changing, and we have to try to understand it… The real question is: Do we ignore it, or do we actually do something to make it work?” the director mused.
For Darren Aronofsky, what is truly at risk is the art of storytelling, given the recent decline in audience interest—an interest that has been displaced by the prevalence of new, short-form entertainment formats flooding social media.