Today's Birthday, April 18

AAP General News (Australia)
04-18-2007
Today's Birthday, April 18

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Today's birthday April 18: Eli Roth, US director (1972-)

Eli Roth made his name in the film industry with the success of Cabin Fever, a film
he wrote and directed.

Born on April 18, 1972, in Newton, Massachusetts, Roth started making films at a young
age inspired by Ridley Scott's film Alien (1979).

His passion for film continued throughout high school and he studied film at New York University.

After graduating in 1994, Roth worked odd jobs in the film industry in New York studios.

He had written the screenplay for Cabin Fever in 1995 with a friend from university
and spent years looking for an interested investor.

In 1999, Roth moved from New York to Los Angeles and got funding for his animation
series Chowdaheads, but the series was never aired.

He then worked for director David Lynch, compiling Lynch's website, which brought him
closer to success in the film industry.

In 2001, Cabin Fever was filmed, financed by private investors and Roth's own fundraising.

Cabin Fever became the highest earning movie for film company Lionsgate in 2002, making
more than $US30 million ($A36.72 million).

His success continued into 2005, when his horror film Hostel, made $US20 million ($A24.48
million) in its opening weekend.

The film is extremely violent and firmly placed itself among the scariest movies of all time.

Roth's sequel to Hostel is anticipated to be released this year.



AAP sg/jm/

KEYWORD: TODAY'S BIRTHDAY 18/4

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