Abel Ferrara: The Moral Vision (Directors) (Paperback)

~ Brad Stevens (Author), Abel Ferrara (Foreword)

Editorial Reviews

Review

""A scholarly, informative, and insightful work." --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description

From The Driller Killer - originally banned in Britain - to Bad Lieutenant, The King of New York and beyond, Abel Ferrara's films have attracted controversy for their extreme SUBJECT: matter and admiration for their fine acting The author believes that Ferrara is among the most important cultural figures of our time: Harvey Keitel, Christopher Walken, Madonna, Willem Dafoe, Matthew Modine and Ice-T have all given their finest performances under his direction--and there is a generous and passionate morality pulsing beneath Ferrara's extreme imagery. This comprehensive book contains * a wealth of biographical information * chapters on every film, television episode and music video * comparisons with key figures in cinema and literature * interviews with Ferrara's most important collaborators, Joe Delia, Ken Kelsch and Asia Argento * notes on variant versions of Ferrara’s films * a list of unrealized projects. * many rare stills and photos * Foreword by Ferrara

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: FAB Press; illustrated edition edition (May 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 190325406X
• ISBN-13: 978-1903254066
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,537,141 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading for fans of Abel, September 8, 2004

By	Aaron WC (Canada) - See all my reviews

Brad Stevens, whose successful book on Monte Hellman was released in 2003, tackles another subject who doesn't always get the proper recognition that they so deserve. Through interviews with Ferrara himself (he wrote the brief introduction), correspondence with the main collaborators of the director, and enormous amounts of research, Stevens' book focuses on both the biographical and the theoretical nature of Ferrara's films. It's the most complete book on Ferrara at this time, and one would hope that Stevens would be able to update this text as Ferrara continues his controversial - but always impressive - career.
His section on unrealized projects alone makes this worthy of a purchase.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ultimate Book About Abel, August 12, 2004

By	Franck Moore (Providence, RI) - See all my reviews

Brad Stevens did a magnificent work, that enlightens all the aspects of Ferrara's movies. As a very serious historian, he multiplies the sources of informations, and we discover for example the youth and formation of the film-maker. As a brilliant analyst, he compares each film with a whole range of literary and cinematic works. It's a model in terms of monography about a director.
The book is wonderfully illustrated. The filmography is the most complete and detailed.
A necessary book for everyone interested, nonetheless about Ferrara, but about American contemporary cinema in general.