Pi (1998)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Darren Aronofsky

Writers:

Darren Aronofsky (written by)
Darren Aronofsky (story) ...
(more)

Release Date:

10 July 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Thriller | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

faith in chaos

Plot:

A paranoid mathematician searches for a key number that will unlock the universal patterns found in nature.

Plot Keywords:

Mathematician | Headache | Stock Market | Genius | Mathematics

Awards:

9 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Sean Gullette	...	Maximillian Cohen
Mark Margolis	...	Sol Robeson
Ben Shenkman	...	Lenny Meyer
Pamela Hart	...	Marcy Dawson
Stephen Pearlman	...	Rabbi Cohen
Samia Shoaib	...	Devi
Ajay Naidu	...	Farrouhk
Kristyn Mae-Anne Lao	...	Jenna
Espher Lao Nieves	...	Jenna's Mom
Joanne Gordon	...	Mrs. Ovadia
Lauren Fox	...	Jenny Robeson
Stanley Herman	...	Moustacheless Man
Clint Mansell	...	Photographer
Tom Tumminello	...	Ephraim
Henri Falconi	...	Kaballah Scholar
Isaac Fried	...	Kaballah Scholar
Ari Handel	...	Kaballah Scholar
Oren Sarch	...	Kaballah Scholar
Lloyd J. Schwartz	...	Kaballah Scholar (as Lloyd Schwartz)
Richard Lifschutz	...	Kaballah Scholar (as Richard 'Izzi' Lifschutz)
David Strahlberg	...	Kaballah Scholar
Peter Cheyenne	...	Brad
David Tawil	...	Jake
J.C. Islander	...	Man Presenting Suitcase
Abraham Aronofsky	...	Man Delivering Suitcase
Ray Seiden	...	Transit Cop
Scott Franklin	...	Voice of Transit Cop (voice)
Chris Johnson	...	Limo Driver
Sal Monte	...	King Neptune

Directed by
Darren Aronofsky

Writing credits
Darren Aronofsky		(written by)
Darren Aronofsky		(story) &
Sean Gullette		(story) &
Eric Watson		(story)
Darren Aronofsky		(voice over written by) &
Sean Gullette		(voice over written by)

Produced by
Tyler Brodie	....	co-executive producer
Scott Franklin	....	associate producer
David Godbout	....	co-executive producer
Katie King	....	assistant producer
Richard Lifschutz	....	consulting producer
Randy Simon	....	executive producer
Jonah Smith	....	co-executive producer (as Jonah S. Smith)
Scott Vogel	....	co-producer
Eric Watson	....	producer

Original Music by
Clint Mansell

Cinematography by
Matthew Libatique		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Oren Sarch

Casting by
Denise Fitzgerald

Production Design by
Matthew Maraffi

Art Direction by
Eileen Butler

Makeup Department
Ariyela Wald-Cohain	....	makeup artist

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Henri Falconi	....	second assistant director
Lora Zuckerman	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Sean Gullette	....	additional graphics
Eric 'Shorty' Meyerson	....	property master
Sasha Noe	....	creator: vaccination gun
Gagan K. Sarch	....	graphics: newspaper, Khalsa Graphix (as Gagan Sarch)

Sound Department
Brian Emrich	....	sound designer
Mark Enette	....	additional sound mixing
Mark Enette	....	additional sound recordist
Ken Ishii	....	sound recordist
Joe O'Connell	....	mixing supervisor: pre-mix
Tony V. Stevens	....	sound consultant: Dolby
Dominick Tavella	....	sound mixer
Dominick Tavella	....	sound re-recordist

Special Effects by
Ariyela Wald-Cohain	....	special effects

Visual Effects by
Jeremy Dawson	....	computer screen graphics: Sneak Attack
Dan Schrecker	....	computer screen graphics
Christopher Dusendschon	....	in-show optical effects compositor: THDX (uncredited)

Stunts
Marc Vivian	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Jonathan Beck	....	additional first assistant camera
Chris Bierlein	....	additional cinematographer
Chris Bierlein	....	camera supplier: Bolex
Chris Bierlein	....	first assistant camera
Paul Burns	....	Steadicam operator
Nina Davenport	....	additional camera operator
Nina Davenport	....	camera supplier: Bolex
Ersellia Ferron	....	still photographer (as Erceila Ferron)
Trevor Houchen	....	key grip
Sue Johnson	....	still photographer
Jonah Moran	....	best boy
Sinclair Smith	....	gaffer
John Ta	....	second assistant camera

Animation Department
Dan Moss	....	computer animator: java sequence

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Eric 'Shorty' Meyerson	....	wardrobe

Editorial Department
Darren Aronofsky	....	assistant positive cutter
Tim Brennan	....	positive cutter
Fabiana Ferreira	....	assistant editor
Vicki Fredricks	....	assistant positive cutter
Tatjana Kalinin	....	additional editing
Katie King	....	post-production coordinator
Oliver Lief	....	apprentice editor
Marc Pholem	....	apprentice editor
Gagan K. Sarch	....	apprentice editor
Hilary Scratch	....	apprentice editor
Anoop S. Virdi	....	apprentice editor
Meena K. Virdi	....	apprentice editor
Rebecca Webb	....	apprentice editor

Music Department
Clint Mansell	....	score performer
Sioux Zimmerman	....	music supervisor

Other crew
Kayla Alpert	....	benefactor
David Amiel	....	benefactor
Edward Antonio	....	benefactor (as Edward)
Pauline Antonio	....	benefactor
Abraham Aronofsky	....	benefactor (as Abraham)
Charlotte Aronofsky	....	benefactor
Charlotte Aronofsky	....	craft service
Patty Aronofsky	....	benefactor (as Patti Aronofsky)
Adam Berkowitz	....	benefactor (as Adam)
Bonnie Berkowitz	....	benefactor
Lisa Berkowitz	....	benefactor
Michael Berkowitz	....	benefactor (as Michael)
Kenneth Bower	....	benefactor (as Kenneth)
Penni Bower	....	benefactor
Eilan Buczyner	....	benefactor (as Eilan)
Elana Buczyner	....	benefactor
Barbara Calhoun	....	go advisor
Giles Luke Dawson	....	benefactor
Jeremy Dawson	....	title designer: main title sequence & credits, Sneak Attack
Matt Dawson	....	ant wrangler: credits
Linda F. Delecia	....	benefactor
Bob Dillon	....	benefactor (as Bob)
Gloria Dillon	....	benefactor
Elliot DuBowski	....	benefactor (as Elliot)
Rima DuBowski	....	benefactor
Edward Eisenberg	....	benefactor
Eileen Eisenberg	....	benefactor (as Eileen)
Leonard Feinman	....	benefactor (as Leonard)
Roberta Feinman	....	benefactor
Andy Feit	....	benefactor (as Andy)
Ellen Feit	....	benefactor
Susan Feldbaum	....	benefactor
Cheryl Fierstadt	....	benefactor
Steve Fierstadt	....	benefactor (as Steve)
Holmar Filipsson	....	production assistant
John Finley IV	....	benefactor
John Fitzpatrick	....	additional schmidty
Alice Freidus	....	benefactor
Gene Freidus	....	benefactor (as Gene)
Abraham Freilich	....	benefactor (as Dr. Abraham Freilich)
Gail Furman	....	benefactor
Jay Furman	....	benefactor (as Jay)
Libby Gallagher	....	benefactor
Alan Getz	....	benefactor (as Alan)
Daniel B. Getz	....	legal services
Linda Getz	....	benefactor
Melvin Girshek	....	benefactor (as Melvin)
Susan Girshek	....	benefactor
Meryl Goodrich	....	benefactor
Jack Gordon	....	benefactor
Jo Gordon	....	craft service
Anselm Grum	....	benefactor (as Anselm)
Gundula Grum	....	benefactor
Dolly Hall	....	production angel
Andrew Hallman	....	benefactor (as Andrew)
Teddy Hallman	....	benefactor
Brenda Halperin	....	benefactor
Donald Halperin	....	benefactor (as Donald)
Stanley Herman	....	benefactor (as Uncle Stanley Herman)
Cristina Hernandez	....	ant wrangler: credits
Gary Jacobs	....	benefactor (as Gary)
Susan Jacobs	....	benefactor
Craig Josephberg	....	benefactor
Carol Katz	....	benefactor
Ken Katz	....	benefactor (as Ken)
Heather Keenan	....	benefactor
Steve Kilmeade	....	benefactor
Katie King	....	script supervisor
Karen Levine	....	benefactor
Stuart Levine	....	benefactor (as Stuart)
Richard Lifschutz	....	judaica advisor
Debbie Light	....	benefactor
Bella Linden	....	benefactor
Gail Linden	....	benefactor (as Gail)
Keri Linden	....	benefactor (as Keri)
Kevin Linden	....	benefactor
Phil Linden	....	benefactor (as Phil)
Randy Linden	....	benefactor (as Randy)
Richard Linden	....	benefactor
Alan S. Lipp	....	benefactor (as Alan S. Lipp, MD)
Alan S. Lipp	....	medical advisor (as Alan Lipp, MD)
Alan Maisel	....	benefactor (as Alan)
Lynn Maisel	....	benefactor
Gerald McCollam	....	microscope cinematography advisor
Florence Modell	....	benefactor
Joanne Ovadia	....	benefactor
Chase Palmer	....	additional schmidty
Sheila Pass	....	benefactor
Sheldon Pass	....	benefactor (as Sheldon)
Jennie Peabody	....	benefactor
David Plotsker	....	benefactor (as David)
Isaac M. Plotsker	....	benefactor
Leslie Plotsker	....	benefactor
Richard Puricelli	....	benefactor (as Richard)
Stephanie Puricelli	....	benefactor
Barry Rabkin	....	benefactor
Mark Rabkin	....	benefactor
Audrey Roberts	....	benefactor
Alissa Rosen	....	medical advisor
Maxine Scheinert	....	benefactor
Mark Schild	....	benefactor (as Mark)
Shara Schild	....	benefactor
Howard Simon	....	production assistant
Joseph Smith	....	schmidty
Michael Solomon	....	go advisor
Steven Tarantino	....	benefactor
Niko Tavernise	....	ant wrangler (as Nico Tavernise)
Drew Teora	....	benefactor
Jody Teora	....	benefactor (as Jody)
Chris Varvaro	....	benefactor
Brendan Wallace	....	benefactor
Christopher Weck	....	additional schmidty (as Chris Weck)
Dan Weiner	....	go advisor
David Weintraub	....	benefactor
Gregory Williamson	....	benefactor
Jeff Wittenberg	....	benefactor
Marvin Young	....	benefactor (as Marvin)
Meryl Young	....	benefactor
Elaine Zakarin	....	benefactor
Robert Zakarin	....	benefactor (as Robert)
Alan Zelenetz	....	judaica advisor (as Rabbi Alan Zelenetz)
Leona Zeplin	....	benefactor
Leonard Zeplin	....	benefactor (as Leonard)

Thanks
Roger Arar	....	thanks
Abraham Aronofsky	....	thanks
Charlotte Aronofsky	....	thanks (as Charlotte)
Patty Aronofsky	....	thanks (as Patti Aronofsky)
Rachel Bachner	....	thanks
Jeremy Barber	....	thanks
Bonnie Berkowitz	....	thanks
Tanya Blumstein	....	thanks
Peter Broderick	....	thanks
Beth Brunswick	....	thanks (as Beth)
Ed Brunswick	....	thanks
Whitney Cook	....	thanks
Leonardo Da Vinci	....	thanks (as Leonardo DaVinci)
Charles Degelman	....	thanks (as Charlie Degelman)
Eddie De Harp	....	thanks (as Eddie DeHarp)
Sandi Simcha Dubowski	....	thanks (as Sandi DuBowski)
Keven Duffy	....	thanks
Steve Fierstadt	....	thanks
Beau Flynn	....	thanks
Ed Flynn	....	thanks
Michelle Forman	....	thanks
Caren Franklin	....	thanks
Ted Franklin	....	thanks (as Ted)
Douglas Freeman	....	thanks (as Doug Freeman)
Marvin Gettleman	....	thanks
Nikos Glimidakis	....	thanks
Mary Glucksman	....	thanks
Jamie Gold	....	thanks
Marc Grant	....	thanks
Holly Greene	....	thanks
Trevor Groth	....	thanks
David Gullette	....	thanks (as David)
Margaret Gullette	....	thanks
Tom Heitman	....	thanks
Larry Hendel	....	thanks (as Larry)
Liora Hendel	....	thanks
Lucy Hendel	....	thanks (as Lucy)
Rachael Hendel	....	thanks
Caroline Kaplan	....	thanks
Stephanie Lees	....	thanks
David Levine	....	thanks
Rabbi Abraham Levitsky	....	thanks
James Lumb	....	thanks (as James)
Kellie Lumb	....	thanks
Simon Lund	....	thanks
William Mardenborough	....	thanks
Karol Martesko	....	thanks
Hallie Ruth McGonigal	....	thanks
Dan Murphy	....	thanks
Balázs Nyari	....	thanks (as Balazs Nyari)
Andrew Osborne	....	thanks
Lianna Pai	....	thanks (as Liana Pai)
Eric Person	....	thanks
Mark Picayne	....	thanks
John Proctor	....	thanks
Sheila Proctor	....	thanks (as Sheila)
Todd Roberts	....	thanks
Stuart Rosenberg	....	thanks
Rose Rubin	....	thanks
Susan Rubin	....	thanks (as Susan)
Rob Schmidt	....	thanks
Dan Schrecker	....	thanks
Ellen Schrecker	....	thanks
Irving Schwartz	....	thanks
Billee Sharp	....	thanks
Jonah Sharp	....	thanks (as Jonah)
Dan Sheinberg	....	thanks
Jill Sheinberg	....	thanks (as Jill)
Richard Sheinberg	....	thanks (as Richard)
Amy Beth Silver	....	thanks (as Amy Silver)
Kelly Stevens	....	thanks
Bunny Stivers	....	thanks
David Tames	....	thanks
Ira Tannenbaum	....	thanks
Elizabeth Van Dyke	....	thanks
Ricardo Vinas	....	thanks
Joe Viola	....	thanks
Melissa Watson	....	thanks
Rick Watson	....	thanks (as Rick)
Chad Weiner	....	thanks
Jennifer Weiner	....	thanks
Lloyd Weiner	....	thanks (as Lloyd)
Sherry Weiner	....	thanks
Audrey Western	....	thanks (as Audrey)
Jim Western	....	thanks
Lowell Williams	....	thanks
Dan Winters	....	thanks

Production Companies

• Harvest Filmworks (present)
• Truth and Soul Pictures (present) (as Truth & Soul)
• Plantain Films (present)
• Protozoa Pictures

Distributors

• Arsenal (2003) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Independent Films (2000) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Live Film & Mediaworks Inc. (1998) (USA) (theatrical)
• Artisan Entertainment (1999) (USA) (video)
• Egmont Entertainment (2000) (Finland) (VHS)
• Europa Filmes (Brazil) (DVD)
• Europa Filmes (Brazil) (VHS)
• Kinowelt Home Entertainment (1999) (Germany) (VHS)
• Kinowelt Home Entertainment (2005) (Germany) (DVD)
• Lions Gate Films (2003) (North America) (all media)
• Live Entertainment (USA)
• Madman Entertainment (2001) (Australia) (DVD)
• Mars Distribution (France)
• Mundos de Cine
• Pathé
• Universal Pictures Benelux (2001) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Yorin (2004) (Netherlands) (TV) (first national airing)

Special Effects

• Cineric (optical effects)

Other Companies

• Airtime Cellular Rentals  thanks to: corporate supporter
• BMG Songs Inc.  score published by
• Blast Digital Audio  pre-mixed at
• Blast Digital Audio  thanks to: corporate supporter
• Bono Film & Video  thanks to: corporate supporter
• Broadway Stage  thanks (as Mark & Tony at Broadway Stage)
• Broadway Studios  thanks to: corporate supporter
• Brooklyn Go Club, The  thanks
• Burton Snowboards  thanks
• Cineric  35 mm blow-up
• Cineric  digital film recording
• Citi Cosmetics  thanks to: corporate supporter
• Drift Releasing  insurance provided by
• Dsquared  java animated computer sequence
• Expendables Plus  thanks to: corporate supporter
• Formula P.R.  thanks
• ITEX  thanks to: corporate supporter
• JTL Cinematography  thanks to: corporate supporter
• Khalsa Graphix Studios  newspaper graphics (as Khalsa Graphix)
• KiKobo  thanks to: corporate supporter
• Materials for the Arts  thanks to: corporate supporter
• Mendy's Restaurant and Sports Bar  thanks to: corporate supporter
• New York City Mayor's Office of Film, Theater & Broadcasting, The  thanks to: corporate supporter (as New York City Mayor's Office for Film and TV)
• Next Wave Films  thanks (as Tara & Mark at Next Wave)
• No Time  thanks
• Nothing Records  courtesy of: original score
• Palestrini Post Production  edited at
• Palestrini Post Production  thanks to: corporate supporter
• Plantain Films  edited at
• Screen Actors Guild (SAG)  thanks to: corporate supporter (as Screen Actors Guild)
• Sean Gullette Design  web site provided by
• Sneak Attack  computer screen graphics
• Sneak Attack  main title sequence & credits
• Sound One Corporation  mixed at
• State University of New York at Old Westbury  thanks (as S.U.N.Y. Old Westbury)
• The Snorri Brothers  design: Snorri Cam
• Thrive Records  original soundtrack album available on

Also Known As:

3,14159265358 (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some disturbing images.

Runtime:

84 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Hebrew

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Netherlands:12 | Iceland:12 | Hungary:16 | Brazil:14 | Finland:K-12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | France:U | Germany:12 | New Zealand:R13 | Norway:15 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:15 | Spain:13 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Harvest Filmworks

Trivia:

The number Max is searching for is 216 digits long. 216 is 6x6x6; 666 is the "number of the beast" according to the Book of Revelation.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: Shadow of camera operator visible looming over Max as he thrashes on the floor of his bathroom.

Quotes:

Sol Robeson: The Ancient Japanese considered the Go board to be a microcosm of the universe. Although when it is empty it appears to be simple and ordered, in fact, the possibilities of gameplay are endless. They say that no two Go games have ever been alike. Just like snowflakes. So, the Go board actually represents an extremely complex and chaotic universe.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Hubert Selby Jr: It/ll Be Better Tomorrow (2005)

Soundtrack:

Some Of These Days

Genius!

I have yet to come even close to fully appreciating the sheer artistry and complexity of Darren Aronofsky's stunning mathematical/sci-fi thriller, "Pi". Watching this film, one can tell from the subdued effects, grainy black-and-white filter, and guerrilla-style filmmaking that this must be a low-budget independent film - NOT to try and downplay its impact, as many independent films can clearly surpass any typical Hollywood movie, in terms of style and subject matter.

"Pi" is a perfectly concrete example of how the relative absence of special effects, explosions, etc. can still help create an engaging, and thoroughly unique viewing experience. Overflowing with intensity and hyperkinetic camerawork, this is a frightening roller-coaster ride of a film; despite clocking in at less than 90 minutes, "Pi" is by no means short on resonance - but rather leaves a heavy feeling of exuberance and fascination with the material that lasts long after it's finished. At the same time, though, people who aren't as open-minded to more obscure, abstract films like this would be, I think, surprised. This is not as complicated or bewildering a film as I had expected. If one can be able to focus intently on the story, the result is rewarding, and doesn't provide for much head-scratching. Its style seems rather modern, rather hip...at times it reminded me of "The Matrix" (which, ironically, was released the FOLLOWING year) what with its slick techno musical score and its flashy opening credits.

To shy away from this film simply because of its math content is to be completely shallow and ignorant. The way it handles the material is a whole lot more interesting than you'd probably think. Like "A Beautiful Mind", "Pi" is an instant classic that serves to re-awaken my erratic interests in my poorest subject, mathematics. It's original, it's interesting, and above all - genius.