Spotlight on Abel Ferrara

Abel Ferrara is the “patron saint of New York gutterpunk cinema,” a genre master who evolved beyond his exploitation-movie roots to become a unique force in independent filmmaking. In the following introduction, cohost of “The Big Picture” Sean Fennessey discusses the core themes, key collaborators, and major cultural impact (including a Notorious B.I.G. shout-out) of a filmmaker fascinated by characters torn apart by their own appetites.