Writing

Paul Auster

Born February 3, 1947 · Newark, New Jersey, USA

Died April 30, 2024 · aged 77

Paul Benjamin Auster was an American author known for works blending absurdism, existentialism, crime fiction and the search for identity and personal meaning in works such as The New York Trilogy (1987), Moon Palace (1989), The Music of Chance (1990), The Book of Illusions (2002) and The Brooklyn Follies (2005).

Known For

Blue in the Face

Blue in the Face · 1995

Blue in the Face

A wacky group of locals visit the neighborhood cigar shop, looking for good times and finding plenty of hilarious fun. But when the greedy owner threatens to close the shop for good and turn it into a trendy vegetarian restaurant, the neighborhood proves they'll do just about anything to save their favorite hangout.

The Center of the World

The Center of the World · 2001

The Center of the World

MovieDramaRomance

A couple checks into a suite in Las Vegas. In flashbacks we see that he's a computer whiz on the verge of becoming a dot.com millionaire, she's a lap dancer at a club. He's depressed, withdrawing from work, missing meetings with investors. He wants a connection, so he offers her $10,000 to spend three nights with him in Vegas, and she accepts with conditions. Is mutual attraction stirring?

Smoke

MovieComedyDrama

Writer Paul Benjamin is nearly hit by a bus when he leaves Auggie Wren's smoke shop. Stranger Rashid Cole saves his life, and soon middle-aged Paul tells homeless Rashid that he wouldn't mind a short-term housemate. Still grieving over his wife's murder, Paul is moved by both Rashid's quest to reconnect with his father and Auggie's discovery that a woman who might be his daughter is about to give birth.

The Music of Chance

The Music of Chance · 1993

The Music of Chance

Two men face the consequences of gambling after playing with men beyond their league.

Lulu on the Bridge

Lulu on the Bridge · 1998

Lulu on the Bridge

MovieDramaMystery

A famous jazz saxophonist's life is forever changed after he is accidentally shot. After discovering a mysterious package, he meets and falls in love with a beautiful aspiring actress, but their happiness is cut short by a series of strange, dreamlike events.

The Inner Life of Martin Frost

The Inner Life of Martin Frost · 2007

The Inner Life of Martin Frost

MovieDramaRomance

A writer awakens one day to find a strange but beautiful woman in bed with him. He quickly falls in love with her, thinking he has found his muse, but as time passes she becomes more and more unattainable.

Out of My Head

Out of My Head · 2017

MovieDocumentary

Explores the history and mystery of Migraine, and its remarkable place in the human condition. Migraine is a devastating but fascinating neurological condition with a compelling story to tell. Alice in Wonderland, Thomas Jefferson, Sigmund Freud, and Joan Didion all figure into its colorful history.

It Was Mine

It Was Mine · 2015

Is there really such a thing as coincidence? R. is scouring bookstore after bookstore in search of a remarkable book that he yearns to read. He finally finds it in the most unexpected way. A playful and offbeat reflection on the surprising moments where you get the feeling that everything is somehow connected. Based on a short story by Paul Auster.

Filmography

Sort

Blue in the Face

Blue in the Face · 1995

Blue in the Face

A wacky group of locals visit the neighborhood cigar shop, looking for good times and finding plenty of hilarious fun. But when the greedy owner threatens to close the shop for good and turn it into a trendy vegetarian restaurant, the neighborhood proves they'll do just about anything to save their favorite hangout.

Director

The Center of the World

The Center of the World · 2001

The Center of the World

MovieDramaRomance

A couple checks into a suite in Las Vegas. In flashbacks we see that he's a computer whiz on the verge of becoming a dot.com millionaire, she's a lap dancer at a club. He's depressed, withdrawing from work, missing meetings with investors. He wants a connection, so he offers her $10,000 to spend three nights with him in Vegas, and she accepts with conditions. Is mutual attraction stirring?

Story

Smoke

MovieComedyDrama

Writer Paul Benjamin is nearly hit by a bus when he leaves Auggie Wren's smoke shop. Stranger Rashid Cole saves his life, and soon middle-aged Paul tells homeless Rashid that he wouldn't mind a short-term housemate. Still grieving over his wife's murder, Paul is moved by both Rashid's quest to reconnect with his father and Auggie's discovery that a woman who might be his daughter is about to give birth.

Writer

The Music of Chance

The Music of Chance · 1993

The Music of Chance

Two men face the consequences of gambling after playing with men beyond their league.

Novel

Lulu on the Bridge

Lulu on the Bridge · 1998

Lulu on the Bridge

MovieDramaMystery

A famous jazz saxophonist's life is forever changed after he is accidentally shot. After discovering a mysterious package, he meets and falls in love with a beautiful aspiring actress, but their happiness is cut short by a series of strange, dreamlike events.

Writer

The Inner Life of Martin Frost

The Inner Life of Martin Frost · 2007

The Inner Life of Martin Frost

MovieDramaRomance

A writer awakens one day to find a strange but beautiful woman in bed with him. He quickly falls in love with her, thinking he has found his muse, but as time passes she becomes more and more unattainable.

Director

Out of My Head

Out of My Head · 2017

MovieDocumentary

Explores the history and mystery of Migraine, and its remarkable place in the human condition. Migraine is a devastating but fascinating neurological condition with a compelling story to tell. Alice in Wonderland, Thomas Jefferson, Sigmund Freud, and Joan Didion all figure into its colorful history.

It Was Mine

It Was Mine · 2015

Is there really such a thing as coincidence? R. is scouring bookstore after bookstore in search of a remarkable book that he yearns to read. He finally finds it in the most unexpected way. A playful and offbeat reflection on the surprising moments where you get the feeling that everything is somehow connected. Based on a short story by Paul Auster.

Author

In the Country of Last Things

In the Country of Last Things · 2020

In the Country of Last Things

MovieDramaScience Fiction

A young woman ventures into an unnamed city that has collapsed into chaos and disorder to search for her journalist brother.

Novel

The Accompanist

The Accompanist · 1992

The Accompanist

In Nazi-occupied Paris, a young accompanist named Sophie Vasseur gets a job with famed singer Irene Brice. As Irene's husband Charles, a businessman collaborating with the Nazis, wrestles with his conscience, Sophie becomes obsessed with Irene, taking on the role of maid as well as accompanist, living life vicariously through Irene's triumphs and affairs.

Thanks

I Remember

I Remember · 1999

Set and shot chronologically in natural light over one hour at dusk, I REMEMBER materialized out of this sense of intangible loss and a desire to hold on to memories that, however fleeting, give our lives meaning.

Executive Producer

The Fall

The Fall · 1969

MovieDocumentary

"The Fall" depicts certain scenes in New York City between October 1967 and March 1968, shot by the independent filmmaker, Peter Whitehead. It is a very personal documentary, and Whitehead appears in a large number of scenes, and we hear his lengthy ruminations on the state of the United States and the war in Vietnam.

Le carnet rouge

Le carnet rouge

Le carnet rouge

Original Film Writer

Act of God

Act of God · 2009

MovieDocumentary

A Canadian documentary feature film that investigates the effects of being struck by lightning.

Writer

The South Bank Show

The South Bank Show · 1978

The South Bank Show

SeriesDocumentaryTalk

The South Bank Show is a television arts magazine show produced by ITV between 1978 and 2010. A new series began on Sky Arts from 27 May 2012. Presented by Melvyn Bragg, the show aims to bring both high art and popular culture to a mass audience.