Luis Fernandez de la Reguera

Last updated
Luis Fernandez de la Reguera
Born(1966-10-20)October 20, 1966
New Orleans, Louisiana
DiedAugust 14, 2006(2006-08-14) (aged 39)
Albany, New York
Occupation Film director

Luis Fernandez de la Reguera (October 20, 1966 – August 14, 2006) was an American independent film director most famous for his 2003 documentary Rockets Redglare! about the actor of that name.

An independent film, independent movie, indie film or indie movie, is a feature film or short film that is produced outside the major film studio system, in addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies. Independent films are sometimes distinguishable by their content and style and the way in which the filmmakers' personal artistic vision is realized. Usually, but not always, independent films are made with considerably lower budgets than major studio films.

Film director Person who controls the artistic and dramatic aspects of a film production

A film director is a person who directs the making of a film. A film director controls a film's artistic and dramatic aspects and visualizes the screenplay while guiding the technical crew and actors in the fulfilment of that vision. The director has a key role in choosing the cast members, production design, and the creative aspects of filmmaking. Under European Union law, the director is viewed as the author of the film.

Documentary film nonfictional motion picture

A documentary film is a nonfictional motion picture intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction, education, or maintaining a historical record. "Documentary" has been described as a "filmmaking practice, a cinematic tradition, and mode of audience reception" that is continually evolving and is without clear boundaries. Documentary films were originally called 'actuality' films and were only a minute or less in length. Over time documentaries have evolved to be longer in length and to include more categories, such as educational, observational, and even 'docufiction'. Documentaries are also educational and often used in schools to teach various principles. Social media platforms such as YouTube, have allowed documentary films to improve the ways the films are distributed and able to educate and broaden the reach of people who receive the information.

Contents

Biography

Luis Fernandez de la Reguera was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He weathered a difficult childhood and left for New York City at age 17. Living in the pre-gentrified Lower East Side, he played guitar in several punk rock bands including his own, "Orgy of One", and was a cover story in CMJ magazine.

New Orleans Largest city in Louisiana

New Orleans is a consolidated city-parish located along the Mississippi River in the southeastern region of the U.S. state of Louisiana. With an estimated population of 393,292 in 2017, it is the most populous city in Louisiana. A major port, New Orleans is considered an economic and commercial hub for the broader Gulf Coast region of the United States.

CMJ Holdings, Corp. was a music events and online media company which ran a website, hosted an annual festival in New York City, and published CMJ New Music Monthly.

Prior to becoming a filmmaker, de la Reguera also performed stand up comedy, and owned the Big Plate recording studio on Ludlow Street.

It was in his interim work as a bartender that he came to know the colorful actor, con artist, East Village personality and heroin addict Rockets Redglare and many of Redglare's wary friends.

East Village, Manhattan Neighborhood in Manhattan in New York City

The East Village is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan. It is roughly defined as the neighborhood east of the Bowery and Third Avenue, between 14th Street on the north and Houston Street on the south.

Rockets Redglare was an American character actor and stand-up comedian. He appeared in over 30 films in the 1980s and 1990s, including a number of independent films, and mainstream films such as After Hours (1985) and Desperately Seeking Susan (1985).

In August 2006 while visiting friends in rural Phoenicia in Ulster County, upstate New York, de la Reguera lost control of his motorcycle and crashed. He was airlifted to a hospital in Albany, New York, where he died of severe head trauma a few days later at age 39.

Ulster County, New York County in the United States

Ulster County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 182,493. The county seat is Kingston. The county is named after the Irish province of Ulster.

Upstate New York region of the U.S. state of New York north of the core of the New York metropolitan area

Upstate New York is the portion of the American state of New York lying north of the New York metropolitan area. The Upstate region includes most of the state of New York, excluding New York City, the Lower Hudson Valley, and Long Island, although the precise boundary is debated. Major cities in Upstate New York include Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, and Syracuse.

Albany, New York Capital of New York

Albany is the capital of the U.S. state of New York and the seat of Albany County. Albany is located on the west bank of the Hudson River approximately 10 miles (16 km) south of its confluence with the Mohawk River and approximately 135 miles (220 km) north of New York City.

Differently Able

Luis de la Reguera's first film was the 15-minute Differently Able, which he wrote, directed and acted in. Differently Able is about two unhappy brothers forced by circumstance to live together. One brother (played by William Murchu) is in a wheelchair, angry and dependent; the other (played by de la Reguera) a cruel drunk.

Rockets Redglare!

Rockets Redglare! affectionately documents the life and death of character actor and stand-up comedian Rockets Redglare, born Michael Morra. In one scene, Redglare recounts how one morning when he was four and a half years old his mother dressed him in his favorite shirt and for the first time made him French toast. Just as he started to enjoy his special breakfast, his gangster father and his Uncle Eddie shot another man to death in the next room. He adds that he never was able to enjoy French toast again.

In addition to Redglare himself, the film features interviews with people who knew him well, including actors Steve Buscemi, Willem Dafoe, and Matt Dillon. Buscemi also produced the film, which was shot by de la Reguera using rented equipment. Buscemi and de la Reguera recorded a commentary track for the film's release on DVD.

Steve Buscemi American actor, director and writer

Steven Vincent Buscemi is an American actor and director. Buscemi has starred in many films, including Parting Glances, New York Stories, Mystery Train, Reservoir Dogs, Desperado, Con Air, Armageddon, The Grey Zone, Ghost World, Big Fish and The Death of Stalin. He is also known for his supporting roles in the Coen brothers films Miller's Crossing, Barton Fink, The Hudsucker Proxy, Fargo and The Big Lebowski. He provides the voice of Randall Boggs in the Monsters, Inc. franchise.

Willem Dafoe American actor

William James "Willem" Dafoe is an American actor. A highly prolific character actor, Dafoe has received multiple awards and nominations, including four Academy Award nominations. Dafoe has frequently collaborated with filmmakers Paul Schrader, Abel Ferrara, Lars von Trier, and Wes Anderson.

Matt Dillon American actor

Matthew Raymond Dillon is an American actor and film director. He made his feature film debut in Over the Edge (1979) and established himself as a teen idol by starring in the films My Bodyguard (1980), Little Darlings (1980), Tex (1982), Rumble Fish (1983), The Outsiders (1983) and The Flamingo Kid (1984). From the late 1980s onward, Dillon achieved further success, starring in Drugstore Cowboy (1989), Singles (1992), The Saint of Fort Washington (1993), To Die For (1995), Beautiful Girls (1996), In & Out (1997), There's Something About Mary (1998), and Wild Things (1998). In a 1991 article, famed movie critic Roger Ebert referred to him as the best actor within his age group, along with Sean Penn.

In February 2006, Buscemi and de la Reguera sued Mike Broder of Small Planet Pictures for $1.75 million, alleging he failed to market, promote, and pay advance fees relating to the distribution of the film. In September 2007, Broder agreed to turn over the rights to the film to de la Reguera's estate and pay up to $35,000 for the plaintiffs' legal fees. If Broder fails to pay within five years, he must pay the entire $1.75 million. [1] [2] Buscemi and William Murchu now plan to re-release and redistribute the film. [3]

Recognition and awards

Reviews

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References

  1. ↑ Buscemi Recovers Rockets
  2. ↑ BUSCEMI-PRODUCED INDIE FILM WINS $1.75 MILLION LAWSUIT
  3. ↑ Victory in Court for Actor Steve Buscemi Archived July 3, 2008, at the Wayback Machine

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