Kevin Rafferty
American filmmaker (1947–2020)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kevin Gelshenen Rafferty II (May 25, 1947 – July 2, 2020) was an American documentary film cinematographer, director, and producer, best known for his 1982 documentary The Atomic Cafe.[1][2]
Film director
Film producer
Kevin Rafferty | |
|---|---|
photo of Kevin Rafferty | |
| Born | May 25, 1947 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | July 2, 2020 (aged 73) Manhattan, New York City, U.S. |
| Occupations | Cinematographer Film director Film producer |
| Known for | Documentary films |
Background
Rafferty was born in Boston on May 25, 1947.[3] He studied architecture at Harvard and film at the California Institute of the Arts.[4] He helped teach the craft of filmmaking to Michael Moore during the production of Roger & Me in 1989, and Moore has acknowledged Rafferty's influence on his own filmmaking. Rafferty teamed up with his brother Pierce and Jayne Loader[5] to produce the cult classic documentary film The Atomic Cafe.[6] He was the director, producer, editor and cinematographer of many documentary projects, including Blood in the Face, The War Room, Feed, and The Last Cigarette.[4][7] His last project was 2009's Harvard Beats Yale 29-29.[8]
Rafferty was a nephew of Barbara Bush, and a cousin of George W. Bush.[9]
Rafferty died from cancer at his home in Manhattan on July 2, 2020, at age 73.[3]
Filmography
As director or producer
- Hurry Tomorrow (1975)
- The Atomic Cafe (1982)
- Blood in the Face (1991)
- Feed (1992)
- The Last Cigarette (1999)
- Who Wants to Be President? (2000)
- Harvard Beats Yale 29–29 (2008)
As cinematographer
- Roger & Me (1989)
- The War Room (1993)
- Good Money (1996)
As himself
- SexTV (2003) (TV)
- Manufacturing Dissent (2007)
Reception
Thom Powers of Harvardwood writes that Rafferty is "renowned for his wit and fresh perspectives on American culture".[7] His various films have received positive reception. Of Hurry Tomorrow, Rafferty's documentary indictment of a California State psychiatric hospital, Colin Bennet of The Age wrote "Its anger and courage are the kind that lead to reform".[10] Michael Atkinson of IFC calls Rafferty's latest, Harvard Beats Yale 29-29, "a hypnotic pleasure,"[8] and Fast Company calls it an "engrossing documentary" which was "the best sports film we've seen in years",[11] and Manohla Dargis of New York Times writes "while it seems absurd to include such a picayune event in the annals, the filmmaker Kevin Rafferty makes the case for remembrance and for the art of the story in his preposterously entertaining documentary Harvard Beats Yale 29-29".[12]
The Atomic Cafe had received praise as one of the best Cold War movies of all time.[13][14]
Accolades
- 1991, nomination, Grand Jury Prize for Blood in the Face by Sundance Film Festival
- 1983, nomination, Flaherty Documentary Award for Best Documentary for The Atomic Cafe by British Academy of Film and Television Arts[15]
- 2016, The Atomic Cafe selected to the National Film Registry[16]