Documentary Filmmaker Aaron Kaufman superpower Sean Penn, who told the story of the war in Ukraine and was Robert Rodriguez’s longtime producing partner, has died. He is 51 years old.
Verdi Productions president Chad Verdi told Kaufman that he died Thursday in Las Vegas hollywood reporter on Sunday. There were reports that Kaufman died of an apparent heart attack.
“This is a very sad moment for everyone who loved Aaron,” Verdi wrote in an email to him. THR. “Aaron passed away Thursday night. He and I were on the phone about 20 minutes before calling 911. He was in a good mood and ready to go to dinner. Life is short, family and friends are everything. I miss him already.
Kaufman may be best known for this Emmy-nominated documentary, but he also wrote, directed, and produced several films, including machete, machete kill, urge and Sin City: The Lady Who Killed For. He also serves as executive producer The Greatest, Powder Blue, Spread, 13 Chefs and A bunch of guys.
forward superpowerKaufman also produced and directed Crusaders: Former Jehovah’s Witnesses Speak Outexposed the religious organization’s alleged protection of thousands of admitted pedophiles around the world.
Payne became the face of their documentary, while Kaufman spent time in Kiev in the weeks after the Russian invasion and served as on-site director when the war broke out in February 2022. The original purpose of the project was to educate people about President Volodymyr Zelensky and tell a “whimsical story of a comedian turned president.” However, when the invasion occurs, the theme of the movie changes radically.
Kaufman wrote in an op-ed: “Ukraine is not just a national interest for the United States, it is the United States — or at least a fledgling United States that is trying its best to grow.” newsweek About his experience in the nation’s capital. “We simply cannot ignore this. If we do, we completely forget who we were, who we are and who we will become.
Kaufman was born in Long Island, New York, and founded a small animation company in his 20s. He sold the company a year later and began working for Chris Blackwell’s Palm Pictures. In the early 2000s, he founded his own production company, Barbarian Films.
Kaufman met Rodriguez through his agent, and they worked together for six years at Troublemaker Studios and Quick Draw Productions. After their collaboration ended, he began following his passion and directing more films.
Kaufman has two upcoming projects as a director, Steal Donghao and iron bird -Both of these were completed before his death. He was also assigned to serve as a producer jet planestill in the pre-production stage.
Kaufman is survived by his three children and his partner, Don Ho’s daughter Kea.
