Society is an American horror film. It was finished in 1989, but not released in the US until 1992. It was Brian Yuzna's directorial debut and was written by Rick Fry and Woody Keith. The film stars Billy Warlock as Bill Whitney, Devin DeVasquez as Clarissa Carlyn, Evan Richards as Milo and Ben Meyerson as Ferguson. Screaming Mad George was responsible for the special effects.

Society is considered to be a minor classic in the body horror sub-genre. A sequel, Society 2: Body Modification, was in development, with a script written by Stephan Biro.

Plot[link]

Bill Whitney (Billy Warlock) seems to have it all. His family is wealthy and he lives in a mansion in Beverly Hills, California. He's popular at his high school, looks to be a shoo-in for class president, has a cute cheerleader girlfriend and owns a new Jeep Wrangler to drive around in. Despite this, he feels as though he does not fit in with his family or their high-society friends. When his sister's ex-boyfriend Blanchard (Tim Bartell) gives him a surreptitiously recorded tape of what sounds like his family engaged in a vile, murderous orgy, Bill begins to suspect that his feelings are justified.

Bill gives the tape to his therapist Dr. Cleveland (Ben Slack) to listen to. When he comes back for his appointment, Dr. Cleveland plays the tape back for Bill. The audio has now changed and now merely contains the sounds of his sister Jenny (Patrice Jennings) enjoying her coming out party. Bill insists that what he'd heard before was real and calls Blanchard to get another copy. When he arrives at their meeting place, Bill discovers an ambulance and police officers gathered around Blanchard's crashed van. A body is placed into the back of the ambulance, but Bill is prevented from seeing its face.

At Blanchard's funeral, Bill and his friend Milo (Evan Richards) discover that Blanchard's corpse either needed a lot of reconstructive work for display, or is not real. After the funeral and at the encouragement of his parents, Bill attends a party hosted by his upper-class classmate Ferguson (Ben Meyerson). There, Ferguson lasciviously confirms that the first audio tape Bill listened to—with the sounds of an orgy on it—was the real tape. Angry and confused, he leaves the party with Clarissa (Devin DeVasquez), a beautiful girl he'd been admiring. They have acrobatic sex at her house and Bill meets Clarissa's bizarre, hair-loving mother (Pamela Matheson).

Bill returns home the next day and confronts his parents (Connie Danese and Charles Lucia) and sister, who are all in the master bedroom dressed in lingerie. With Dr. Cleveland's help, they drug Bill. As Milo secretly trails him, Bill is taken to a hospital. Bill awakens in a hospital bed and thinks he hears Blanchard crying out, but discovers that nothing is there. He leaves the hospital and finds his Jeep waiting for him. Milo tries to warn him, but he drives back to his house.

Back home again, Bill finds a large, formal party. He is snared by the neck and Dr. Cleveland reveals all of the secrets he has been searching for. He is not really related to his family after all. In fact, his family and their high-society friends are actually a different species from Bill. To demonstrate, they bring in a still-living Blanchard. The wealthy party guests strip to their underwear and begin "shunting". The rich literally feed on the poor, physically deforming and melding with each other as they suck the nutrients out of Blanchard's body. Their intention is to do to the same to Bill. In a fight with Ferguson, Bill manages to pull the pliable Ferguson inside-out. With Milo and Clarissa's help—who is also of this alternate species, but has fallen in love with Bill—he escapes.

Cast[link]

• Billy Warlock as Bill Whitney
• Connie Danese as Nan
• Ben Slack as Dr. Cleveland
• Evan Richards as Milo
• Patrice Jennings as Jenny
• Tim Bartell as Blanchard
• Charles Lucia as Jim
• Heidi Kozak as Shauna
• Brian Bremer as Petrie
• Ben Meyerson as Ferguson
• Devin DeVasquez as Clarissa Carlyn
• Maria Claire as Sally
• Conan Yuzna as Jason
• Jason Williams as Jason's Friend
• Pamela Matheson as Mrs. Carlyn

Reception[link]

Society was a success in Europe, but was shelved for three years before getting a release in the U.S.^[1] Said director Yuzna in an interview: "I think Europeans are more willing to accept the ideas that are in a movie. That's why for example Society did really well in Europe and in the US did nothing, where it was a big joke. And I think it's because they responded to the ideas in there. I was totally having fun with them, but they are there nonetheless."^[2]

In 1990, Society won the Silver Raven award for "Best Make-Up" at the Brussels International Festival of Fantasy Film.

See also[link]

• Social class

References[link]

External links[link]

• Society at AllRovi
• Society at the Internet Movie Database

Keira Knightley
Keira Knightley at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival
Born	Keira[1] Christina Knightley (1985-03-26) 26 March 1985 (age 27) Teddington, London, England
Occupation	Actress, model
Years active	1993–present
Parents	Will Knightley Sharman MacDonald

Keira Christina Knightley ( /ˌkɪərə ˈnaɪtli/;^[2] born 26 March 1985) is an English actress and model.^[3] She began acting as a child and came to international notice in 2002 after co-starring in the film Bend It Like Beckham. From 2003, her appearances in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series took her to much greater prominence. In 2008, Forbes claimed Knightley to be the second highest paid actress in Hollywood, having reportedly earned $32 million in 2007, making her the only non-American on the list of highest paid actresses.^[4][5][6]

Knightley has appeared in several Hollywood films and earned nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actress and Golden Globe Award for Best Actress for her role as Elizabeth Bennet in Joe Wright's 2005 adaptation of Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice. Two years later she again was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress, as well as the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in Atonement.

Early life[link]

Knightley was born in Teddington, London, England, the daughter of Sharman MacDonald, an award-winning playwright, and Will Knightley, a theatre and television actor.^[7] Her father is English and her Scottish mother is of half Welsh ancestry.^[8] She has an elder brother, Caleb.^{[citation needed]}

Knightley lived in Richmond, attending Stanley Junior School, Teddington School and Esher College.^{[citation needed]} She was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of six, but nevertheless was successful in school and was thus permitted to acquire a talent agent and pursue an acting career. She requested an agent as early as the age of three and got one when she turned six, from her mother as a reward for studying hard.^[9] Knightley has noted that she was "single-minded about acting" during her childhood.^[10] She performed in a number of local amateur productions, including After Juliet (written by her mother) and United States (written by her then drama teacher, Ian McShane, no relation to the actor of the same name). She focused on art, history, and English literature while at Esher, but left after a year to focus on her acting and she also turned down her spot at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.^[11]

Career[link]

1993–2002[link]

After getting an agent at 6, she did work mostly on commercials and small TV roles. Her first role was "Little Girl" in Royal Celebration, a 1993 TV movie. A year later, she had a small role in the movie A Village Affair. She later starred in 1995's Innocent Lies and 1998's Coming Home. She was a princess in the 1996 movie The Treasure Seekers.^[12] Later in 1999, she appeared as Rose in Oliver Twist.^[13]

Keira Knightley appeared in several television films in the mid to late 1990s—as well as ITV1's The Bill^[14]—before being cast as Sabé, Padmé Amidala's decoy, in the 1999 science fiction blockbuster Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Sabé's dialogue was dubbed over with Natalie Portman's voice. This was to hide the fact that the handmaiden Padmé (played by Natalie Portman) was actually disclosed as the real Queen Amidala at the end of the film. Knightley was cast in the role due to her close resemblance to Portman; even the two actresses' mothers had difficulty telling their daughters apart when the girls were in full makeup.^[15]

Knightley's first starring role followed in 2001, when she played the daughter of Robin Hood in the made-for-television Walt Disney Productions feature, Princess of Thieves. She trained for several weeks in archery, sword fighting, and horse riding.^[16] During this time, Knightley also appeared in The Hole, a thriller that received a direct-to-video release in the United States. She appeared in a miniseries adaptation of Doctor Zhivago which first aired in 2002 to mixed reviews but high ratings.^{[citation needed]} In the same year, she also was in the movie Pure, in which she portrays a pregnant teenager who is a heroin addict and had a child taken by social services.^[17] Knightley's breakthrough role was in the football-themed film, Bend It Like Beckham, which was a success in its August 2002 UK release, grossing $18 million, and in its March 2003 U.S. release, grossing $32 million.^[18]

2003–2007[link]

After Bend It Like Beckham's UK release raised her profile, she was cast in the big budget action film, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (along with Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp) which was produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and opened in July 2003 to positive reviews^[19] and high box office grosses,^[20] becoming one of the biggest hits of summer 2003 and cementing Knightley as the new "It" girl.^{[citation needed]}

Knightley had a role in the British romantic comedy Love Actually, which opened in November 2003, which co-starred her childhood idol Emma Thompson.^[21] Her next film, King Arthur, opened in July 2004 to negative reviews,^[22] however in preparation for the role she took boxing, fighting, archery, and horseback-riding lessons for four days a week for three months.^[23][24] In the same month, Knightley was voted by readers of Hello! magazine as the film industry's most promising teen star.^[25] Additionally, TIME magazine noted in a 2004 feature that Knightley seemed dedicated to developing herself as a serious actress rather than a film star.^[26]

She appeared in three films in 2005, the first of which was The Jacket, alongside Adrien Brody.^[27] She next appeared in Tony Scott's Domino, an action film based on the life of bounty hunter Domino Harvey. The film has been Knightley's greatest critical flop to date.^[28] Knightley's critics often suggested she was nothing more than a pretty face, which led the young starlet to comment to Elle magazine, "I always feel like I’m the one with everything to prove."^[9]

Pride & Prejudice rounded out 2005.^[29] Knightley loved the book since she was seven, and with her first acting paycheck she bought a dollhouse of the hero's mansion.^[30] She said of her character, "The beauty of Elizabeth is that every woman who ever reads the book seems to recognise herself, with all her faults and imperfections. If you give an actress who is even remotely good the chance to play a fantastic character like that, they are going to revel in it."^[31] Variety wrote about her portrayal of Elizabeth Bennet: "Looking every bit a star, Knightley, who's shown more spirit than acting smarts so far in her career, really steps up to the plate here, holding her own against the more classically trained Matthew Macfadyen, as well as vets like Brenda Blethyn, Donald Sutherland, Penelope Wilton, and Judi Dench with a luminous strength that recalls a young Audrey Hepburn. More than the older Jennifer Ehle in the TV series, she catches Elizabeth's essential skittishness and youthful braggadocio, making her final conversion all the more moving."^[32] The film grossed more than $100 million worldwide,^[33] and Knightley earned a Golden Globe nomination and an Oscar nomination (the Oscar ultimately went to Reese Witherspoon). The Academy Award nomination made her the third-youngest performer ever nominated.^[34] BAFTA's decision not to nominate her drew criticism from Pride & Prejudice producer Tim Bevan.^[35]

In 2006, Knightley was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.^[36] Her biggest financial hit thus far, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, was released in July 2006.^[37]

Knightley starred in three major films in 2007: Silk, an adaptation of the novel by Alessandro Baricco, Atonement, a feature film adaptation of Ian McEwan's novel of the same name (co-starring James McAvoy, Vanessa Redgrave, and Brenda Blethyn),^[38] and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, which was released in May 2007. For her performance in Atonement, Knightley was nominated for a Golden Globe Award in the Best Dramatic Actress category for the role, as well as a BAFTA Award. Critic Richard Roeper was puzzled by both Knightley's and McAvoy's Academy Award snubs, stating "I thought McAvoy and Knightley were superb."^[39]

2008–present[link]

Knightley at the BAFTA Awards in 2008

In 2008, Knightley appeared in The Edge of Love with Cillian Murphy as her husband, Matthew Rhys as her childhood sweetheart Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, and Sienna Miller as Thomas' wife Caitlin Macnamara. She received positive reviews for her role.^[40] The film was penned by Knightley's mother, Sharman Macdonald, and directed by John Maybury. She then filmed The Duchess, based on the best-selling biography, Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire by Amanda Foreman,^[41] in which she played Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire; the film was released in cinemas on 5 September 2008 in the U.K.

In 2009, Knightley made her West End debut in Martin Crimp's version of Molière's comedy, The Misanthrope, at the Comedy Theatre in London alongside Damian Lewis, Tara FitzGerald, and Dominic Rowan.^[7] in December 2009.^[7] Reviews for her portrayal of Jennifer in the play were generally positive. The Daily Telegraph described her performance as revealing "both power and poignancy"^[42] and The Independent called her performance "not only strikingly convincing but, at times, rather thrilling in its satiric aplomb"^[43] The Guardian, however, noted that due to the nature of the role "one could say that she is not unduly stretched"^[44] and The Daily Mail described her as "little better than adequate" and "dull" and the Daily Express stated that "Her lack of stage experience is sometimes painfully evident."^[45] Knightley has been nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award as Best Supporting Actress as Jennifer in The Misanthrope, recognising her theatre debut.^[46] Knightley also received an Evening Standard Award nomination for the Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress.^[47]

In 2010, Knightley appeared in the drama Last Night, in which she co-starred with Eva Mendes, Sam Worthington, and Guillaume Canet; it was directed by Massy Tadjedin.^[48][49] The same year, Knightley completed work on an adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's dystopian novel, Never Let Me Go with Andrew Garfield and Carey Mulligan. Filming took place in Norfolk and Clevedon in Somerset.^[50][51] Also in 2010, she starred in London Boulevard with Colin Farrell, written by William Monahan.^[52]

Knightley's only film of 2011 was David Cronenberg's historical drama A Dangerous Method, co-starring Viggo Mortensen, Michael Fassbender, and Vincent Cassel. Based on writer Christopher Hampton's 2002 stage play The Talking Cure and set on the eve of World War I, the film depicts the turbulent relationships between fledgling psychiatrist Carl Jung, his mentor Sigmund Freud, and Sabina Spielrein, played by Knightley, the troubled but beautiful young psychoanalyst who comes between them.^[53] The costume film premiered at the 68th Venice International Film Festival to a positive reception, while Knightley, who had almost backed out of the movie due to its explicit scenes,^[54] earned generally favourable reviews by critics, with Andrew O'Hehir of Salon.com noting her "the real star of this film."^[55]

Knightley is slated to appear in The Emperor's Children with Rachel McAdams, Emma Thompson and Richard Gere. The film, a dark comedy, was written by Noah Baumbach and will be directed by Scott Cooper.^[56] In addition, she has reunited with director Joe Wright for the production of Anna Karenina (2012), in which she will star as the title character.^[57] She also appeared with Steve Carrell in 2012's Seeking a Friend for the End of the World.^[58]

Media attention[link]

Knightley attends the premiere of Atonement in Leicester Square, London, 2007

Knightley has been described by press reports as "famously open with media,"^[59] although Knightley herself has stated "I don't talk about my private life."^[60]

Knightley has appeared many times in FHMs 100 Sexiest Women in the World list. Ranked No.79 in 2004 she climbed to No.18 in 2005, and was named "the sexiest woman in the world in 2006."^[61] In 2007, she was 12th, 10th in 2008, and came 36th in 2009.^{[citation needed]} The US edition ranked her No.54 in 2004, No.11 in 2005, and No.5 in 2006.^{[citation needed]} In May 2006, she was No.9 on Maxim's 2006 Hot 100.^{[citation needed]} Knightley appeared nude, along with Scarlett Johansson, on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine's March 2006 "Hollywood" issue.

Knightley was the celebrity face for the luxury goods brand Asprey, Shiatzy Chen as well as Lux haircare products in Japanese television commercials.^{[citation needed]} In April 2006, she was confirmed as the new celebrity face of Chanel's perfume Coco Mademoiselle, though the first photo from the campaign was not released until May 2007.^{[citation needed]}

The dress she wore to the 2006 Academy Awards was donated to the charity Oxfam, where it raised £4,300.^[62]

A 41-year-old man was charged with harassment in February 2010 after trying to contact the actress on several occasions outside the Comedy Theatre in London, where she appeared in the play The Misanthrope.^[63] The subsequent trial folded after the actress was unavailable to testify in court.^[64]

Personal life[link]

Knightley had a relationship with actor Jamie Dornan from 2003 to 2005.^{[citation needed]} She dated her Pride & Prejudice co-star Rupert Friend from 2005 until December 2010.^[65][66][67] She began dating musician James Righton in late February 2011,^[68][69][70] and the couple became engaged in May 2012.^[71]

Knightley has denied rumours she is anorexic, although her family has a history of anorexia.^[72] Knightley sued the Daily Mail after they claimed she lied about having anorexia; the article said that a teenage girl died from anorexia, indicating that Knightley's physical appearance may have influenced her in some way. She was awarded a settlement.^[73]

In July 2006, Knightley said she has become a workaholic,^[74][75] suggesting that she would take a one-year break from acting to travel and focus on her personal life.^[76]

Knightley is an atheist.^[77]

Charity work[link]

Knightley is the face of an Amnesty International campaign to support human rights, marking the 60th anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.^[78][78]

She posed for photos for WaterAid in 2005 and also for the American Library Association's "Read" campaign (A promotional poster of Pride and Prejudice).^[79]

Knightley contributed her voice to a 2007 Robbie the Reindeer animation, all profits of which will be donated to Comic Relief.^[80] In 2004, she travelled to Ethiopia on behalf of that charity.^[81]

In April 2009, Knightley appeared in a video to raise awareness of domestic abuse entitled Cut shot for Women's Aid.^[82][83] The video created controversy, with some sources calling it too graphic, while other groups support the video for showing a realistic depiction of domestic violence.^[84]

In November 2010, Knightley became patron of The Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Trust, a British charity that funds medical research into the children's disease Spinal Muscular Atrophy.^[85]

Filmography[link]

Feature films

Television appearances

Theatre appearances[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Keira Knightley

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Keira Knightley

• Keira Knightley at the Internet Movie Database
• Keira Knightley at Yahoo! Movies
• Keira Knightley at People.com
• Keira Knightley biography and credits at the British Film Institute's Screenonline
• Keira Knightley on Charlie Rose
• Works by or about Keira Knightley in libraries (WorldCat catalog)
• Keira Knightley collected news and commentary at The Guardian

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