King of New York
Directed by Abel Ferrara
Written by Nicholas St. John
Us, 1990
Something of a cult hero among worshippers of ‘video-nasty’ exploitation flicks and latter day grim and grungy crime flicks, it’s a surprise to learn that Bronx director Abel Ferrara is still working diligently behind the camera, albeit on the kind of B-movie fodder that never threatens to break its way into the mainstream zeitgeist. Beyond his eye catching if hard to watch Driller Killer debut, Ferrara is best known for the fondly remembered Bad Lieutenant. His best rounded effort, however, may be the more controversial and divisive King of New York, a slick and stylish slice of understated pulp which earned walkouts at its premiere.
Amidst a wave of crime violence and institutional corruption within a big apple entering a fearful new decade, legendary drug kingpin Frank White (Christopher Walken) is released from Sing Sing...
Directed by Abel Ferrara
Written by Nicholas St. John
Us, 1990
Something of a cult hero among worshippers of ‘video-nasty’ exploitation flicks and latter day grim and grungy crime flicks, it’s a surprise to learn that Bronx director Abel Ferrara is still working diligently behind the camera, albeit on the kind of B-movie fodder that never threatens to break its way into the mainstream zeitgeist. Beyond his eye catching if hard to watch Driller Killer debut, Ferrara is best known for the fondly remembered Bad Lieutenant. His best rounded effort, however, may be the more controversial and divisive King of New York, a slick and stylish slice of understated pulp which earned walkouts at its premiere.
Amidst a wave of crime violence and institutional corruption within a big apple entering a fearful new decade, legendary drug kingpin Frank White (Christopher Walken) is released from Sing Sing...
- 12/16/2012
- by Scott Patterson
- SoundOnSight
I used to believe, like Wenders or Godard, in the death of cinema. I accepted it as fact but never believed in it. The movies, that’s what I believed in—a dark room, shadows on a surface, a bunch of lonely people sitting down, looking up.
Like Leos Carax to Serge Daney, Abel Ferrara showed me there’d be cinema ‘til the end of the world.
***
At first I thought Abel Ferrara’s films were badly acted; I soon realized Ferrara would take bad acting with truth in it over a masterpiece of falsehoods. (Later I found out that Ferrara would, in Dangerous Game and New Rose Hotel, use one to create the other.)
I thought his films were too commercial. “Already captivated by cinema, I didn’t need to be seduced as well,” as Serge Daney put it. Hollywood in the 21st century is a highly sophisticated marketing ploy.
Like Leos Carax to Serge Daney, Abel Ferrara showed me there’d be cinema ‘til the end of the world.
***
At first I thought Abel Ferrara’s films were badly acted; I soon realized Ferrara would take bad acting with truth in it over a masterpiece of falsehoods. (Later I found out that Ferrara would, in Dangerous Game and New Rose Hotel, use one to create the other.)
I thought his films were too commercial. “Already captivated by cinema, I didn’t need to be seduced as well,” as Serge Daney put it. Hollywood in the 21st century is a highly sophisticated marketing ploy.
- 3/19/2012
- MUBI
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.