by Florian Zappe
Abel Ferrara is one of the most uncompromising and provocative filmmakers of his generation. From his early exploitation roots to his philosophical and deeply personal later works, Ferrara has carved out a unique space in cinema—blurring the lines between the sacred and the profane, between the violent and the deeply human.
ReFocus: The Films of Abel Ferrara provides a fresh, scholarly look at his wide-ranging filmography. As the editor of this volume, Florian Zappe shares the vision behind this book and the insights it offers to Ferrara’s dedicated fans and new audiences alike.
What inspired you to put together ReFocus: The Films of Abel Ferrara?
Ferrara is often discussed either because of his status as a ‘cult filmmaker,’ his prominent role in the ‘indie’ vogue of the 1990s, or his idiosyncratic thematic explorations of sin, redemption, and violence. However, there has been relatively little comprehensive academic attention paid to his oeuvre as a whole. This book aims to fill that gap, bringing together international scholars to analyse his films through multiple lenses—gender, politics, genre theory, spirituality, philosophy and beyond. With Ferrara’s work continuing to evolve, especially in his more recent European productions, the time felt right to reassess his contributions to international cinema.
What sets this volume apart from other books on Abel Ferrara?
Several noteworthy books on Ferrara exist, yet some offer only a partial view of his oeuvre, while others are outdated and do not cover the past decades of his career. ReFocus: The Films of Abel Ferrara provides a comprehensive yet detailed academic exploration of his entire body of work, encompassing both his acclaimed films (Ms. 45, Bad Lieutenant, King of New York) and his lesser-discussed projects (Mary, Welcome to New York, Pasolini). The essays seriously engage with Ferrara as an auteur, examining the recurring themes and stylistic signatures that define his films while also recognizing his ability to reinvent himself over the years.
What are some of the key themes discussed in the book?
One of the most compelling aspects of Ferrara’s cinema is its deep engagement with morality and the human condition. This book examines his recurring exploration of power, corruption, guilt and redemption—whether in the grimy streets of Bad Lieutenant or the existential crises that define his later works. It also explores his depiction of the city, particularly New York, his complex relationship with Catholicism, and his radical approach to genre filmmaking. Contributors analyse Ferrara’s distinctive aesthetic, his uncompromising ethical vision, and his innovative reimagining of established genres. Additionally, the book highlights his use of performance, particularly through long-time collaborators such as Willem Dafoe, Harvey Keitel, Christopher Walken and Asia Argento.
Why should Ferrara fans and film scholars read this book?
For Ferrara fans, this book offers fresh insights into his work, highlighting connections between films that may not be immediately obvious. For film scholars, it provides a rigorous analysis of a director who defies easy categorisation. And for general cinephiles, it’s an opportunity to explore the work of an artist whose films challenge, disturb, and provoke deep thought.
What do you hope readers will take away from ReFocus: The Films of Abel Ferrara?
I hope this book helps readers see Ferrara’s work in a new light—not just as transgressive cinema, but as a body of work that wrestles with profound existential questions. His films may be dark, violent and unsettling, but they are also deeply philosophical and, in their own way, spiritual. Ultimately, ReFocus: The Films of Abel Ferrara encourages a deeper appreciation of one of modern cinema’s most enigmatic and fearless directors.
About the book
A collection of critical essays on Abel Ferrara, one of America’s most unorthodox and distinctive film directors.
Save 30% off your copy with discount code NEW30.
About Florian Zappe
Florian Zappe is a Berlin-based scholar and academic working at the intersection of literary studies, cultural studies, and philosophy. He is the author of books on Kathy Acker and William S. Burroughs and the editor of ReFocus: The Films of Abel Ferrara (Edinburgh University Press, 2024). He has also co-edited several essay collections, including The American Weird: Concept & Medium (2020) and Surveillance | Society | Culture (2020). His research spans literary and visual culture, with numerous publications in the field. For more information, visit their website.
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