Happy 69th Birthday, Abel Ferrara! Born today in 1951, this American filmmaker is known for his provocative and often controversial content in his movies, his use of neo-noir imagery and gritty urban settings. He is also a long-time independent filmmaker.
Born in The Bronx, New York City, New York of Italian and Irish descent, Ferrara was raised Catholic, which had a later effect on much of his work
At fifteen years old, he moved to Peekskill in Westchester, New York. He attended the film conservatory at SUNY Purchase, where he directed several short films, most of which are all available on The Short Films of Abel Ferrara collection.
Soon finding himself out of work in the mid-1970s, Ferrara directed (under the pseudonym Jimmy Boy L), he directed a 1978 American pornographic film '9 Lives of a Wet Pussy'.
It starred his then-girlfriend Pauline LaMonde (Pauline). Ferrara also co-starred as Old Man (credited as Jimmy Laine).
Three years later, Ferrara first drew a cult audience with his 1979 American black comedy horror/slasher 'The Driller Killer'.
This urban grindhouse film was shot in the mold of Martin Scorsese's 1976 American psychological thriller mystery/crime film 'Taxi Driver'. Ferrara starred artist Reno Miller.
Two years later after 'The Driller Killer', Ferrara followed it up with with the 1981 American exploitation drama/thriller film 'Ms. 45' (also known as 'Angel of Vengeance', and mistyped as 'Ms. 45.').
The "rape revenge" film starred American musician, model, actress, author, producer, political activist and screenwriter Zoë Lund (also known as Zoë Tamerlis and Zoë Tamerlaineas) as Thana.
Three years later, Ferrara was next hired to direct the 1984 American erotic action-thriller drama/mystery film 'Fear City'. It starred Tom Berenger, Melanie Griffith, Billy Dee Williams, Rae Dawn Chong and María Conchita Alonso.
Afterwards, Ferrara worked on the two-hour pilot for NBC's American crime drama television series Crime Story (1986–1988).
This was for American film director, screenwriter, and producer of film and television Michael Mann ('Manhunter', 'Heat', 'Collateral'), of whom first Brough the program to life.
Later on, Ferrara directed two episodes of the American television crime drama series Miami Vice (1984–1990). These were The Home Invaders and for Season 1 and The Dutch Oven for Season 2.
In the following decade, Ferrara directed the film of which he is best known. This was the 1990 American neo-noir crime thriller drama film 'King of New York'.
The film tells of psychotic drug lord Frank White (Christopher Walken). When released from prison, he is bent on sharing his profits with the poor.
However, White finds that the streets are tougher than when he left and that there is no way of washing the blood from his dirty money.
On a budget of $ 5 million, the film only grossed $2.5 million at the box office.
Roger Ebert awarded 'King of New York'. two stars out of four, citing Walken's "usual polished and somehow sinister ease" and the director's strong command of mood and style, marred by a sketchy screenplay and a fragmented plot".
A long-time independent filmmaker, some of Ferrara's best-known features of the 1990s include the 1992 American neo-noir crime/drama film 'Bad Lieutenant' and the 1996 American crime/drama film 'The Funeral'.
Interviewed by The Guardian in 2010, Ferrara recalled having to step in front of the camera for one scene in '9 Lives' to perform a hardcore sex scene: "It's bad enough paying a guy $200 to fuck your girlfriend, then he can't get it up."
Ferrara has been active from 1971–present.
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