Uma Thurman: Biography
Uma Thurman has proven herself to be one of the most versatile young actresses by playing a variety of compelling characters. Thurman was born in Boston and raised in Amherst, Massachusetts. At age fifteen she was discovered by two New York agents and at sixteen she transferred to the Professional Children’s School in New York City in order to pursue an acting career.
Thurman’s entrance into mainstream film really began after her role as the goddess Venus in Terry Gilliam’s fantasy THE ADVENTURES OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN which brought her international attention. This striking and versatile actress went on to receive critical acclaim for her portrayal of a virginal 18th century convent girl, Cecile de Volanges, seduced by John Malkovich in Stephen Frears’ DANGEROUS LIASONS. The following year she starred opposite Fred Ward and Maria de Medeiros in Philip Kaufman’s HENRY & JUNE playing the neurotic and exotic bisexual spouse of Henry Miller. She then played Daphne McBain; one of a trio of Dabney Coleman’s spoiled children in the comedy WHERE THE HEART IS, directed by John Boorman. In 1991, Thurman starred opposite Richard Gere and Kim Basinger as Diana, a conniving therapy patient in Phil Joanou’s thriller FINAL ANALYSIS. She then reunited with Malkovich in the thriller JENNIFER 8, playing Andy Garcia’s blind girlfriend, Helena. In MAD DOG AND GLORY, she played a barmaid who becomes an indentured servant to Robert De Niro for saving Bill Murray’s life. Her most eccentric movie to date is Gus Van Sant’s film, EVEN COWGIRLS GET THE BLUES, in which she played Sissy Hankshaw, a big-thumbed, bisexual hippie hitchhiker.
In 1996, Thurman received an Academy Award nomination for Quentin Tarantino’s critically lauded PULP FICTION, in which she played Mia Wallace, a sexy and comedic mobster’s wife. Later that year, she was seen in the period romance A MONTH BY THE LAKE, with Vanessa Redgrave and the contemporary romance BEAUTIFUL GIRLS directed by Ted Demme. Thurman next appeared in THE TRUTH ABOUT CATS AND DOGS, BATMAN & ROBIN, GATTACA, opposite Ethan Hawke, LES MISERABLES with Liam Neeson and THE AVENGERS.
Uma’s other works include Woody Allen’s SWEET AND LOWDOWN, opposite Sean Penn and Samantha Morton; VATEL, opposite Gerard Depardieu and Tim Roth; the Merchant/Ivory film THE GOLDEN BOWL, with Nick Nolte, Angelica Huston and Jeremy Northam; John Woo’s thriller PAYCHECK; and TAPE with Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard, for which she was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award as Best Supporting Actress. Uma also starred and produced, the HBO film, HYSTERICAL BLINDNESS, and won 2003 Golden Globe for Best Actress for her portrayal of Debby Miller.
Quentin Tarantino’s installments KILL BILL: VOLUME 1 and KILL BILL: VOLUME 2, both of which she was nominated for a Golden Globe; MGM’s BE COOL opposite John Travolta, a sequel to the hit GET SHORTY; PRIME opposite Meryl Streep, THE PRODUCERS with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick; MY SUPER EX-GIRLFRIEND, opposite Luke Wilson; MOTHERHOOD opposite Anthony Edwards and Minnie Driver; MY ZINC BED, an HBO film based on the play by David Hare; THE LIFE BEFORE HER EYES opposite Evan Rachel Wood; Chris Columbus’ PERCY JACKSON & THE LIGHTNING THIEF in which she takes on the role of the mythical character “Medusa;” Lee Pace’s CEREMONY playing “Zoe” a woman in the middle of a love triangle, and Declan Donnellan’s BEL AMI playing opposite Robert Pattinson.
Most recently, Thurman earned her first Emmy Nomination in the category of “Outstanding Guest Actress in a Dramatic Series” for her arc in NBC’s SMASH. Due out later this year Thurman will be seen in Lars von Trier’s NYMPHOMANIAC. Uma is currently attached to star as controversial Anita Bryant in the independent feature ANITA, which will be directed by Rob Epstein and Jeff Friedman.
Koto Bolofo: Biography
Born in South Africa, Koto Bolofo and his family fled to Britain when he was still a child after his father, a history teacher, was discovered to have writings by Karl Marx among his classroom materials. After living as political refugees for nearly 25 years, Bolofo and his father returned to South Africa, an experience documented in his short film The Land Is White, the Seed Is Black. His keen eye for lively, dynamic images has won him accolades for his fashion photography—Bolofo editorials have appeared in Vogue, GQ and Interview, to name a few; his advertising clients include Hermes, Louis Vuitton and Dior. In addition, the Paris-based photographer has published several books of work, including a 2008 coffee table tome produced with Steidl containing definitive portraits of Venus Williams (he was granted open access to the world-class athlete), and Vroom! Vroom!, released in March 2010, which documents the elegance of vintage Bugattis.
