Morris Engel | |
|---|---|
| Born | Morris Engel April 8, 1918 |
| Died | March 5, 2005 (aged 86) New York City, New York |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Filmmaking, Cinematography, Photography |
| Notable work |
|
| Movement | French New Wave |
| Spouse | Ruth Orkin |
| Website | Morris Engel Archive |
Morris Engel (April 8, 1918 – March 5, 2005) was an American photographer, cinematographer and filmmaker best known for making the first good-quality, internationally-recognized American film "independent" of Hollywood studios, Little Fugitive (1953), in collaboration with his wife, photographer Ruth Orkin, and their friend, writer Raymond Abrashkin.
Engel was a pioneer in the use of hand-held cameras that he helped design throughout his features and in using nonprofessional actors in American films, following the example of Italian Neo-realism. His naturalistic films influenced future prominent independent and French New Wave filmmakers.[1]