Fur

Carter Burwell's Notes

Sub-titled "An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus," the film focuses on the months during which Arbus, played by Nicole Kidman, dramatically shifts from being an assistant to her husband and mother to two children, to taking some of the most striking photos of the late 20th century.

Rather than purporting to dramatize the facts of her life, the film portrays her psychological metamorphosis in subjective and metaphorical terms.

The music follows the metaphor, down a fur-lined rabbit hole with a combination of dreamlike tonalities, moody modalities, and dark sexual hum in the wires.

Nicole Kidman as Diane Arbus

Nicole Kidman and Ty Burrell

Film Info

Directed by Steven Shainberg
Written by Patricia Bosworth (book), Erin Cressida Wilson
Produced by Edward R. Pressman, Bonnie Timmermann, Andrew Fierberg, William Pohlad

Composed, Orchestrated and Conducted by Carter Burwell
Music Editor: Todd Kasow
Music Scoring Mixer: Mike Farrow
Contractor: Sandy Park
Recorded at Right Track Studio A509
Mixed at The Body Studio

Starring Nicole Kidman, Robert Downey, Jr., Ty Burrell.

US release on November 10, 2006.

Bill Pope (cinematographer), Steve Shainberg and Nicole Kidman

Kidman at the beach

Music Production Notes

In addition to the credits given above, these were the key people working on the score:

Piano: Bill Mays
Guitar: David Torn
Bass: John Patitucci, Martin Wind
Percussion: Gordon Gottlieb, Joe Passaro, David Charles
Harp: Emily Mitchell
Violins: Sandra Park, Sharon Yamada, Soo Hyun Kwon
Violas: Richard O’Neill, Robert Rinehart
Cellos: Alan Stepansky, Eileen Moon
French Horn: Phil Myers
Tenor Sax: Andy Snitzer
Bari Sax: Roger Rosenberg
Trumpet: Jim Hynes
Drums: Shawn Pelton

Head Copyist : Tony Finno
Copyist: Adriana Marinescu
Assistant to Composer: Dean Parker

Reviews

"...Carter Burwell's frisky score, with its inventive orchestrations and strong sense of movement, is a big plus." - Todd McCarthy, Variety, Sept. 5, 2006.

"... Di grande interesse la partitura musicale dissonante di Carter Burwell, già compositore per i fratelli Coen." - Maurizio Imbriale, Tempi Moderni, October, 2006.

"... The low-key score by Carter Burwell is lovely and evocative." - Claudia Pulig, USA Today, Nov. 10, 2006.

"... 'Fur' will also garner attention for spectacular cinematography by Bill Pope (he did the 'Matrix' movies) and an unbelievably good jazz score by Carter Burwell. I want the soundtrack now!" - Roger Friedman, Fox News, Sept. 29, 2006.

"... The general atmosphere is Gothic in the style of Twin Peaks: Fetishized freaks are tossed here and there for accent, like throw pillows, while a relentless score by Carter Burwell keeps reminding us how to feel about each moment: Spooked! Tender! Erotically transported!" - Dana Stevens, Slate.com, Nov. 10, 2006.

"... Burwell continues to explore interesting keys and modes, utilizing a bare-bones ensemble to craft a peculiar sound that is strikingly original yet immensely approachable and entertaining. Like Gods and Monsters, it balances feelings of joy and sadness, but is not as lyrical and absorbing as the former. Still, it confirms that Burwell is, indeed, a highly innovative craftsman in the field of film scoring with a voice of his own, and Fur is recommended to anyone willing to step out of John Williams' footsteps for a solid and inventive 45 minutes." - Jonathan Jarry, Soundtrack.net, Dec. 18, 2006.