Award-winning producer John Kilik, a University of Vermont alumnus, is known for big projects including Babel, Hunger Games and several Spike Lee films. His newest film, Foxcatcher, is a chilling biographical drama that tells the story of Olympic wrestling champion Mark Schultz, played by Channing Tatum, and his relationship with wealthy, disturbed coach John du Pont, played by Steve Carell.
"I grew up outside of New York in a diverse community during a challenging time ... and when I came to UVM in '74, that's what the movies that inspired me were about. They were about people in America and they were rooted in a real place." - Jon Kilik, producer
Kilik was drawn to 贵辞虫肠补迟肠丑别谤鈥檚 story from the beginning. 鈥淚t spoke to me. Both the truth, reality and facts of the story, but also on a much bigger scale. [I was drawn to] the socioeconomic elements of class, power, haves and have-nots in America and the increasing divide. That鈥檚 what pulled me into it,鈥� Kilik says.
Many of Kilik鈥檚 films seem to have the 鈥淒avid and Goliath鈥� theme. Kilik explains this as having a lot to do with his upbringing: 鈥淚 grew up outside of New York in a diverse community during a challenging time, in the '60s and '70s, and when I came to UVM in '74, that鈥檚 what the movies that inspired me were about. They were about people in America and they were rooted in a real place,鈥� Kilik says.
"Foxcatcher" stars Steve Carell, Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo.
Kilik has spent his career telling the stories of people he feels deserve the spotlight. 鈥淚 think being able to use art to reflect who and what we are as a society is a great opportunity, and also a great responsibility. I think it鈥檚 important, whatever sort of responsibility I feel, to shine a light on people in situations that need the attention," Kilik says. "I鈥檝e just found myself gravitating towards that."
