Harmony Korine is a multi-talented American who is recognized as a filmmaker, screenwriter, author, and occasional actor. His unique approach to filmmaking and willingness to tackle controversial subjects has earned him praise for movies like “Kids,” “Gummo,” “Julien Donkey-Boy,” and “Spring Breakers.”
Early Life & Education
Harmony Korin was born on January 4, 1973, in Bolinas, California. His father was a PBS producer and tap dancer who introduced him to the art of using a Bolex camera. Their shared love for film sparked Harmony’s passion from a young age as they frequently enjoyed movie nights together.
Korine attended Hillsboro High School and later enrolled in New York University to pursue a degree in English, but left after one semester. During this time, he crossed paths with photographer Larry Clark, who requested him to pen the screenplay for “Kids.”
Harmony Korine’s Career
It took Harmony Korine just three weeks to write the script for the movie, which follows the lives of several teenagers in Manhattan over 24 hours, highlighting their experiences with sex and drugs. This depiction has been praised for its authentic portrayal of youth in New York City during the AIDS epidemic.
Following his controversial cult hit, Korine wrote and directed “Gummo” (1997), a film depicting life in Xenia, Ohio after a devastating tornado in the 1970s. In 1999, he released “Julien Donkey-Boy,” which was inspired by the struggles of a paranoid schizophrenic. Like his previous works, the film received both acclaim and criticism.
Over time, Korine’s style evolved in his later films. He shifted from the refined and surreal visuals of “Mister Lonely” (2007) to the rough and unpolished look of “Trash Humpers” (2009), and then completely subverted the typical Hollywood genre with “Spring Breakers” (2013).
Harmony Korine solidified his status as one of the boldest independent filmmakers of the 20th century and beyond with the release of his 2019 film “Beach Bum”.
The movie featured a star-studded cast including Matthew McConaughey, Isla Fisher, Martin Lawrence, and Snoop Dogg. Despite receiving both praise and criticism, Korine’s work continues to garner attention and admiration.
Aside from his involvement in the film industry, Korine has also authored several books, such as “A Crack Up at the Race Riots” and his compilation of fanzines known as “The Collected Fanzines.”
He has penned screenplays for various films, including “Kids,” “Gummo,” “Julien Donkey-Boy,” and “Mister Lonely,” which exhibit significant differences from one another. Additionally, he has exhibited his artwork in galleries, made appearances in commercials, and helmed numerous music videos throughout his career.
Personal Life
Rachel Simon, also known as Rachel Korine, is the wife of filmmaker Harmony Korine. They have been blessed with two children from their marriage.
In 1993, during her final year of high school, Korine crossed paths with Chloe Sevigny. They eventually became romantically involved, which lasted until the early 2000s. Sevigny’s involvement with Korine led to her being cast in the indie film “Kids,” and they continue to maintain a friendship to this day.
In 2009, Korine faced backlash for signing a petition to support filmmaker Roman Polanski, who had been arrested in Switzerland for a 1977 incident involving the drugging and rape of a 13-year-old girl. Following this, there were numerous calls for Korine to be released and fired from his position.
Net Worth
Harmony Korine’s net worth is estimated to be around $4 million, thanks to his various contributions to the film industry such as directing, screenwriting, and acting, as well as his pursuits in photography and writing.
