Paul Schrader

Counts Pickpocket (1959), An Autumn Afternoon (1962) and Performance (1970) among his all-time favorite films.

Being raised on Calvinist principles and severe parentage, he saw his first movie, The Absent Minded Professor (1961), at age 17.

Received his Bachelor's degree with a minor in theology from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1968.

Although his name is often linked to that of the "movie brat" generation (Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas, Brian De Palma, etc. ) Paul Schrader's background couldn't have been more different than theirs. His strict Calvinist parents refused to allow him to see a film until he was 18. Although he more than made up for lost time when studying at Calvin College, Columbia University and UCLA's graduate film program, his influences were far removed from those of his contemporaries--Robert Bresson, Yasujirô Ozu and Carl Theodor Dreyer (about whom he wrote a book, "Transcendental Style in Film") rather than Saturday-morning serials. After a period as a film critic (and protégé of Pauline Kael), he began writing screenplays, hitting the jackpot when he and his brother, Leonard Schrader (a Japanese expert), were paid the then-record sum of $325,000, thus establishing his reputation as one of Hollywood's top screenwriters, which was consolidated when Martin Scorsese filmed Schrader's script Taxi Driver (1976), written in the early 1970s during a bout of drinking and depression. The success of the film allowed Schrader to start directing his own films, which have been notable for their willingness to take stylistic and thematic risks while still working squarely within the Hollywood system.

Has a daughter, Molly Johanna Schrader (born 1984), and a son, Sam Schrader (born 1988) with his wife Mary Beth Hurt.

Member of the 'Official Competition' jury at the 37th Berlin International Film Festival in 1987.

Directed two Academy Award nominated performances: James Coburn and Nick Nolte, who both starred in Affliction (1997). Coburn won the Academy Award for 'Best Supporting Actor'.

Member of the 'Dramatic' jury at the Sundance Film Festival in 1998.

Originally directed Exorcist: The Beginning (2004), but his final version was rejected by the producers for not being enough of a marketable mainstream horror film product. Schrader was replaced by Renny Harlin, who re-shot about 80% of the film. Schrader received no credit for that version. However, Morgan Creek Pictures did a limited release of Schrader's Dominion (2005) on May 20, 2005. The DVD was released on October 25, 2005. Now two radically different versions exist, that share some story elements, some footage and some cast members.

President of the 'Official Competition' jury at the 57th Berlin International Film Festival in 2007.