How does the film show the difference between dreams and reality?
Big dreams versus reality as addition grows. The film uses fantasy sequences, such as Sara imagining herself on TV, to show the contrast.
Which character do you sympathize with the most? Why?
to discuss
Give 10 adjectives to describe this movie.
to vary
TRUE or FALSE: Requiem for a Dream featured real junkies as extras
TRUE: When a fresh shipment of heroin is distributed to a mob of eager junkies in the back of a supermarket, they used real junkies
What do you think the repeated visual motifs (such as the dilating pupils or drug-use montages) symbolize?
They show how addiction takes over the body and mind. The film technique is intending to make us feel what the characters are experiencing.
Which academy award was Requiem for a Dream nominated for?
Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role (Ellen Burnstyn) But, did not win :(
What is the main theme of Requiem for a Dream?
Addiction and how it destroys people’s lives. The film shows different types of addiction: drugs, fame, and dreams that are never fulfilled.
What do you think of the ending? Was it predictable or shocking?
must discuss in detail
If the story took place today, do you think the characters’ experiences would be different? How?
will vary
Name the 4 actors (first and last name) that played Sara, Harry, Marion and Tyrone
Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Wayans
How much money did Requiem for a Dream gross (domestically and internationally combined)
$24,321,545
$11,657,989
$8,987,909
$7,389,233
What do you think about the relationship between Harry and Marion?
to discuss
Who directed Requiem for a Dream, and in what year was it released? Name another movie by this director.
Darren Aronofsky, 2000 - Black Swan, The Wrestler, Pi...
How does Sara Goldfarb’s obsession with being on television affect her life?
She becomes obsessed with losing weight to fit into her red dress, so she takes dangerous diet pills leading to her breakdown.
The film is known for its fast editing and unique camera angles. How do these techniques affect your experience as a viewer?
The fast editing makes the film feel chaotic, just like the characters’ lives. The extreme close-ups and split screens give a feeling of being trapped.
Name the four main characters and explain how they change throughout the movie? (25 pts)
Sara (Harry's mother), Harry, Marion, Tyrone. They all have dreams for a better future, but their addictions lead them them to tragic endings.
Explain the tragic ending for each character.
Sara is in a mental hospital, Harry lost and arm and is in the hospital, Marion is trapped in prostitution, and Tyrone is in prison.