Abel Ferrara
Biography
Abel Ferrara is an American filmmaker born on July 19, 1951, in The Bronx, New York, USA. He is known for directing provocative and often controversial content in his movies, frequently incorporating neo-noir imagery. Ferrara has worked in a variety of genres, including crime thrillers, sci-fi, and religious dramas. Some of his notable films include The Driller Killer, Ms.45, King of New York, Bad Lieutenant, and The Funeral. He has also directed the remake Body Snatchers and the cyberpunk thriller New Rose Hotel. Ferrara's work often explores violent crime in urban settings with spiritual overtones. He has directed a total of 83 films and TV shows.
Career overview
Abel Ferrara is an American filmmaker known for his provocative and often controversial content in his movies. He is a long-time independent filmmaker who has worked in a wide array of genres. Ferrara's films often chronicle violent crime in urban settings with spiritual overtones.
Some of Ferrara's notable films include The Driller Killer, Ms. 45, King of New York, Bad Lieutenant, and The Funeral. These movies are set in New York and are gritty crime thrillers. Ferrara has also worked on films outside of the crime genre, such as the sci-fi remake Body Snatchers and the cyberpunk thriller New Rose Hotel.
Ferrara's body of work is characterized by his use and redefinition of neo-noir imagery. He has directed a total of 83 films and television shows, although the exact titles and details of these projects are not specified in the available information. Ferrara's career spans multiple decades, with his birthdate listed as July 19, 1951.
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Career timeline
Full filmography
- Marty Supreme (2025) as Ezra Mishkin
- Judas' Gospel (2025) as Herodes
- Turn in the Wound (2024) Director
- The Passion According to Béatrice (2024) as Self
- The Sweet East (2023) Thanks
- Padre Pio (2023) Director
- Padre Pio (2023) Writer
- Buon Lavoro (2022)
- Soldato sotto la luna (2022) as Anicio
- Please Leave a Message: Anthology Film Archives Voicemails Through the Ages (2022)
- Zeros and Ones (2021) Director
- Zeros and Ones (2021) Screenplay
- The Night Burns (2021) as Abel
- Bleedings (2021)
- Siberia (2020) Screenplay
- Siberia (2020) Director
- Tommaso (2020) Director
- Tommaso (2020) Screenplay
- Sportin' Life (2020) as Self
- Sportin' Life (2020) Director
- The App (2019)
- The Projectionist (2019) as Himself
- The Projectionist (2019) Director
- Talking with the Vampires (2018)
- Talking with the Vampires (2018) Director
- A Talent For Trouble (2018) as Self
- Alive in France (2018) as Self
- Alive in France (2018) Director
- Alive in France (2018) Original Music Composer
- Wiara (2018) as Self
- Black Butterfly (2017) as Pat
- Plankton Salesmen (2017) as Self (archive footage)
- Ultima Chiamata (2017)
- Water and Sugar – Carlo Di Palma: The Colours of Life (2017) as Self
- Piazza Vittorio (2017) as Himself
- Piazza Vittorio (2017) Director
- Sculpt (2016)
- Searching for Padre Pio (2015) Director
- Welcome to New York (2014) Director
- Welcome to New York (2014) Screenplay
- Pasolini (2014) Director
- Pasolini (2014) Idea
- Don Peyote (2014) as Taxi Cab Driver
- Don Peyote (2014) as Manhattan Cab Driver
- Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown (2013) as Self
- Balkan Spirit (2013) as Self - Director
- Abel Ferrara in Lucca (2012)
- 4:44 Last Day on Earth (2012) Director
- 4:44 Last Day on Earth (2012) Writer
- Home Sweet Home (2012)
- Happy Life (2011) Executive Producer
- Daddy Longlegs (2010) as Robber
- 42 One Dream Rush (2010) Director
- Mulberry St. (2010) as Self
- Mulberry St. (2010) Director
- Napoli, Napoli, Napoli (2010) Director
- Napoli, Napoli, Napoli (2010) Writer
- Uncle Bob (2010) as Self
- Bandaged (2009) Producer
- Go Go Tales (2008) Director
- Go Go Tales (2008) Screenplay
- Chelsea on the Rocks (2008) as Self
- Chelsea on the Rocks (2008) Director
- Chelsea on the Rocks (2008) Writer
- Cannes: All Access (2007) as Self
- Exes (2006) as Caïn
- Mylène Farmer : Music Videos IV (2006) Director
- Mary (2005) Director
- Mary (2005) Story
- Odyssey in Rome (2005)
- Nice to Meet You, Please Don't Love Me! (2004) as Himself
- Abel Ferrara: Not Guilty (2003) as Self
- White Boy (2002) Producer
- 'R Xmas (2001) Director
- 'R Xmas (2001) Screenplay
- Mylene Farmer: Music Videos II & III (2001) Director
- New Rose Hotel (1999) Director
- New Rose Hotel (1999) Screenplay
- Abel/Asia (1998) as Self
- The Blackout (1997) Director
- The Blackout (1997) Screenplay
- The Blackout (1997) Songs
- Subway Stories (1997) Director
- The Funeral (1996) Director
- The Addiction (1995) Director
- At Sundance (1995) as Self
- Body Snatchers (1993) Director
- Dangerous Game (1993) Director
- Bad Lieutenant (1992) Director
- Bad Lieutenant (1992) Screenplay
- King of New York (1990) Director
- Cat Chaser (1989) Director
- China Girl (1987) Director
- Crime Story (1986) Director
- The Gladiator (1986) Director
- Crime Story: Pilot (1986) Director
- Miami Vice (1984) Director
- Fear City (1984) Director
- Ms .45 (1981) as 1st Rapist
- Ms .45 (1981) Director
- The Driller Killer (1979) as Reno Miller
- The Driller Killer (1979) Director
- The Driller Killer (1979) Editor
- The Driller Killer (1979) Songs
- 9 Lives of a Wet Pussy (1976) as Old Man
- 9 Lives of a Wet Pussy (1976) Director
- 9 Lives of a Wet Pussy (1976) Editor
- Could This Be Love (1973) Director
- Could This Be Love (1973) Writer
- The Hold Up (1972) Director
- The Hold Up (1972) Writer
- Nicky's Film (1971) as Man in junkyard
- Nicky's Film (1971) Director
- Nicky's Film (1971) Cinematography
- American Nails Director
- American Nails Writer
- The Night Burns
- Siegfriedsdorf
- Embryo: Beyond the Door