Abel Ferrara

Abel Ferrara (born July 19, 1951) is an American filmmaker known for his provocative and often controversial movies. He is recognized for his use and redefinition of neo-noir imagery and his exploration of gritty crime thrillers set in New York City. Some of his notable works include 'Ms .45' (1981), 'King of New York' (1990), 'Bad Lieutenant' (1992), and 'The Funeral' (1996), which portray violent crime in urban settings with spiritual undertones. Ferrara has also ventured into genres like sci-fi ('Body Snatchers', 1993), cyberpunk ('New Rose Hotel', 1998), and biopic ('Pasolini', 2014). Born in the Bronx to Italian and Irish parents, Ferrara's Catholic upbringing significantly influenced his work.