James Anthony Merendino (born January 11, 1969) is an American film director and screenwriter. He is best known for writing and directing the dramedy film SLC Punk!.
Life Merendino was born in Long Branch, New Jersey, and moved to Salt Lake City when he was six years old. He graduated from Judge Memorial Catholic High School in 1985 and went to college in Rome and Los Angeles where he studied Western philosophy and film. Merendino moved to Hollywood when he was 21 and found work with Hollywood mogul Dan Melnick.
In 2008 Merendino moved to New York City where he currently lives with his partner Severine Ferarri.
Career In 1991, Merendino was hired to direct Witchcraft IV: The Virgin Heart. His fourth film, Toughguy (1995), is a psychological thriller starring Heather Graham. His next film was A River Made to Drown In (1997). Merendino's most successful film, SLC Punk!, was released in 1998, and was a semi-autobiographical telling of his growing up in Utah. The screenplay was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award.
The 2000 film Magicians was a European co-production with Alan Arkin and Claire Forlani. Amerikana was part of the Dogma 95 movement by Lars Von Trier. Merendino directed (with Lisa Hammer) the drama film The Invisible Life of Thomas Lynch in 2009. He wrote and directed the sequel to 1998's SLC Punk!, Punk's Dead, which was released in February 2016.
In 2022, James Merendino created and directed the television series Great Kills produced by and starting Steve S. Stanulis. The dark comedy mockumentary about a small time hit man on Staten Island was co-created with Lisa Hammer and released on Tubi in March of 2023. The series was renewed for another season shortly after it aired.
Filmography
Film Year Film Director Writer Producer1992Witchcraft IV: The Virgin Heart1993Witchcraft V: Dance with the Devil1993Beware of Dog1994Hard Drive1994The Upstairs Neighbour1995Terrified1996Livers Ain't Cheap1996The First Man1997River Made to Drown In1998SLC Punk!2000Magicians2001Amerikana2004Evil Remains2008Death Club2009The Invisible Life of Thomas Lynch2011Pox2016Punk's Dead: SLC Punk! 22018Double Proposal2020AshesTBDCat in a BoxTBDArthur Kill Road
Television YearSeriesDirectorWriterProducerActorNotes1998Alexandria Hotel8 episodes2023Great Kills8 episodes
Awards 2000 Nominated Independent Spirit Award Best Screenplay for: SLC Punk! (1998)
Notes
References
External links
philfilms.com spriritawards.com
Film.com