Richard Kelly on Donnie Darko at 25: 'It's a Miracle That Any Movie Gets Made'

Richard Kelly on at 25: 'It's a Miracle That Any Movie Gets Made' The director discusses his debut novel, staying true to an artistic vision, and the absurd line of dialogue from he believes will find its way into his obituary. For a diehard fan of, meeting director and screenwriter Richard Kelly is a thrill in itself. But to first encounter him as a silhouette in a darkened movie theater is to feel almost like a character in one of his films--unmoored by indefinite space and physics, questioning your altered perception. It's a hot Friday in mid-August when I sit down with Kelly, 51, at Santa Monica's Aero Theatre, a beloved repertory venue that makes a key appearance in, his remarkable debut feature. Released in October 2001 with virtually no marketing due to the tragic events of 9/11 weeks prior (the plot hinges on a plane accident), it couldn't get a toehold at the box office. But in the months and years that followed, the film became a hit on the home video market and gained a fervent cult fandom thanks to its unique supernatural mystery.