The Cahiers Du Cinema coterie absolutely adored Nicolas Ray. Just as Jean-Luc Godard commented, “cinema is Nicholas Ray”, which Nicolas Ray deserves since he represented the film noir in Hollywood, and left great filmmaking legacy. 

 

In the middle of multiple social upheavals and changes, Nicolas Ray questioned American social issues with films. Thanks to his education background in the architecture major, University of Chicago, he is known for films with unique composition and use of color. He was one-of-a-kind writer and director, even in the Hollywood.

 

Despite the praise from the Cahiers Du Cinema, the rebel ahead of the New Hollywood was often neglected by the filmmaking history.

After joining the RKO Pictures in 1948, Nicolas Ray started working on film noir, such as his first narrative feature--They Live by Night (1948), and his pinnacle of film noir--In a Lonely Place (1950). The former presents the very first film about a couple on the run while the latter sets the tone of his filmmaking style.

 

In the 1950s, he worked with various film production companies, and came to his prolific period with major films. Johnny Guitar (1954), an anti-genre Western classic starring a female protagonist, embodies rebellious spirit and heralds the coming of his most prestigious film Rebel Without a Cause. 

 

The Rebel Without a Cause (1955) brings his style to ultimacy. The film depicting the Beat Generation provoked wide reflections and discussions back, and became a significant social and cultural phenomenon. The subsequent film Bigger than Life (1956), an in-depth observation of the American society, earned his first nomination for the main competition section of the 17th Golden Lion Awards, Venice International Film Festival. 

 

On the occasion of the 110th anniversary of the birth of Nicolas Ray, the Beijing Film Panorama of the 11th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) launches the section of “Master Review: Nicolas Ray” in honor of the Hollywood filmmaking master. In a Lonely Place and Rebel Without a Cause are 4K remastered. Movie fans are welcome to enjoy the classic films at the BJIFF.

  

Nicolas Ray’s first directorial production, opening a new chapter for road movies featuring couples on the run.

 

Nicolas Ray’s film noir classic, the cornerstone of him being a screenwriter.

 

An anti-genre Western classic featuring the debut a female protagonist in the Wild West.

 

Nicolas Ray’s most prestigious film in which James Dean narrates the Beat Generation of youth at a loss.

 

A film depicting the fall of American middle class featuring unique style of use of color, and nominated for the main competition section of the 17th Golden Lion Awards, Venice International Film Festival.