Henry Corra
Encyclopedia
Henry John Corra is an American documentary filmmaker and commercial director.
Corra's films have been exhibited worldwide in theatrical venues from New York City, San Francisco, Paris and Berlin, in broadcast venues including HBO, SHOWTIME, LOGO, CBS, MTV, BRAVO, PBS, VH1, ARTE and CHANNEL 4. His work has also been exhibited in museum and cultural venues internationally including The Museum of Modern Art, New York, The Louvre in Paris, The National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC and the Pacific Film Archives in San Francisco.
Corra's work extends to episodic TV projects for broadcasters including VH1 and Sundance Channel and he has been singled out as one of the foremost director's of reality TV commercials in America creating highly successful campaigns for clients such as Mercedes, Papa Johns, AARP, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, NYC Department of Health, Master Card, Gateway Computers, Procter & Gamble
, SC Johnson, Reebok, McDonalds and Ford.
He currently lives in New York City with his partner and collaborator Celia Maysles.
(2010, 77 minutes, Henry Corra) Private McKinley Nolan vanished forty years ago in Vietnam on the Cambodian frontier. Some say he was captured, some say he was a traitor, some even say he was an American operative. The US Army officially claims he was radicalized and “went native”, joining the Viet Cong and later encountering the Khmer Rouge. In 2006, retired US Army Lt. Dan Smith, revisiting the battlefields of his youth, may have encountered the elusive McKinley, alive. So began a journey into the heart of darkness. The film will have a world premiere in June 2010.
Jack (2009, 87 minutes, Henry Corra and Eben Bull) Here is Jack, the most lovable train wreck you've ever met. This highly original documentary is an authentic portrait of an advanced alcoholic on what could be his final run. Never judging or proclaiming, the film is a wild ride that you can't get off. Eventually, even Jack runs out of road.
NY77: The Coolest Year in Hell (2007, 120 minutes, Henry Corra) A two-hour VH1 Rock Doc that documents one of the most tumultuous years in New York City’s history. The Emmy nominated documentary examines everything from the birth of hip-hop, the burgeoning disco movement, the famed New York blackout, the Son of Sam murders, the sexual revolution and the city’s ongoing financial and political problems. The list of people interviewed by Corra includes Mayor Ed Koch, Screw magazine publisher Al Goldstein, porn actress Annie Sprinkle, hip-hop pioneers KRS One, Afrika Bambaataa and D.J. Kool Herc, punk’s Richard Hell, Blondie’s Christ Stein, Studio 54 co-owner Ian Schrager and disco diva Gloria Gaynor.
Same Sex America (2005, 90 minutes, Henry Corra, Charlene Rule) History was made when Massachusetts became the first state in the nation to sanction gay marriage. Filmmaker Henry Corra weaves the stories of seven gay and lesbian couples on their emotional journey to the altar with the dramatic showdown at Massachusetts' constitutional convention, a vivid demonstration of democracy in action that may change the course of history. The film captures all the nuance of what may be the defining chapter in the history of the gay and lesbian struggle for equal rights.
Frames (2004, 53 minutes, Henry Corra, Charlene Rule) In this film about legendary media artist Grahame Weinbren, Corra effectively captures the complexity, mystery and excitement of the creative process. The film takes its lead from Weinbren’s work where spectators become characters and subjects, living participants as they interact with sound and story, image and screen. Frames had its world premiere at the 2004 Tribeca Film Festival in New York City.
George (2000, 88 minutes, Henry Corra, Grahame Weinbren) Described by Amy Taubin in The Village Voice
, as “an exceptionally intelligent and moving documentary that explores Corra’s twelve-year-old autistic son George, who uses his own video camera to make a movie within the movie. In fact, the film is about how we define normalcy.” George had its American theatrical premiere at The Screening Room, New York and was shown at the Museum of Modern Art, New York, The National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., The Gaga Film Festival, Berlin Germany. It aired on HBO in July 2000.
Umbrellas (1994, 93 minutes, Henry Corra, Grahame Weinbren) The controversial story of the artist Christo’s grand-scale environmental art project in Japan and California that ended in the tragic death of two of its spectators. At its world premiere in 1994 at the Berlin International Film Festival
, Howard Feinstein of Variety
praised the film as, “highly original and structurally flawless . . . an ambitious documentary about an ambitious project.” Umbrellas won The Grand Prize at the Montreal International Film Festival. It was shown at the Museum of Modern Art
, New York, the National Gallery of Art
, Washington, D.C. and The Louvre Museum, Paris and on the European network ARTE.
Change of Heart (1992, 57 minutes, Henry Corra, Kate Hirson) This documentary explores the reversal of heart disease through changes in lifestyle. It is an intimate portrait of four patients, four wives and one doctor. Change of Heart premiered nationally on PBS/NOVA in 1992 and was shown at: NY Film and TV Festival (1992), National Film and Video Festival (1992), Blakeslee Award for Medical Journalism (1992), Academy of Medical Films (1992).
can be tough: no phones, electricity, or cars, and your parents teach you to fear the “devil’s playground” outside your door. So what happens when you want to move on, break free, and join the outside world? Corra Films followed three young adults who have left the flock on their journey to find independence, a new life, and a new kind of family. Currently airing on MTV
.
Background
Henry Corra is a New York City based documentary filmmaker best known for his highly acclaimed films Umbrellas (1995), George (2000), Frames (2004), Same Sex America (2005), the Emmy nominated NYC77 (2007), the Disappearance of McKinley Nolan (2009) and Jack (2009). Corra's work is influenced by cinema verité filmmakers David and Albert Maysles (Salesman, Grey Gardens, Gimme Shelter) whom he collaborated with from 1981 - 1994. In 1994 Corra launched his own production company, Corra Films Inc. located in the heart of downtown Manhattan.Corra's films have been exhibited worldwide in theatrical venues from New York City, San Francisco, Paris and Berlin, in broadcast venues including HBO, SHOWTIME, LOGO, CBS, MTV, BRAVO, PBS, VH1, ARTE and CHANNEL 4. His work has also been exhibited in museum and cultural venues internationally including The Museum of Modern Art, New York, The Louvre in Paris, The National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC and the Pacific Film Archives in San Francisco.
Corra's work extends to episodic TV projects for broadcasters including VH1 and Sundance Channel and he has been singled out as one of the foremost director's of reality TV commercials in America creating highly successful campaigns for clients such as Mercedes, Papa Johns, AARP, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, NYC Department of Health, Master Card, Gateway Computers, Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble is a Fortune 500 American multinational corporation headquartered in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio and manufactures a wide range of consumer goods....
, SC Johnson, Reebok, McDonalds and Ford.
He currently lives in New York City with his partner and collaborator Celia Maysles.
Filmography
The Disappearance of McKinley NolanThe Disappearance of McKinley Nolan
The Disappearance of McKinley Nolan is a 2010 documentary film directed by Henry Corra, which follows Michael Nolan on the search for his brother McKinley Nolan, a U.S. Army Private who vanished during the Vietnam War....
(2010, 77 minutes, Henry Corra) Private McKinley Nolan vanished forty years ago in Vietnam on the Cambodian frontier. Some say he was captured, some say he was a traitor, some even say he was an American operative. The US Army officially claims he was radicalized and “went native”, joining the Viet Cong and later encountering the Khmer Rouge. In 2006, retired US Army Lt. Dan Smith, revisiting the battlefields of his youth, may have encountered the elusive McKinley, alive. So began a journey into the heart of darkness. The film will have a world premiere in June 2010.
Jack (2009, 87 minutes, Henry Corra and Eben Bull) Here is Jack, the most lovable train wreck you've ever met. This highly original documentary is an authentic portrait of an advanced alcoholic on what could be his final run. Never judging or proclaiming, the film is a wild ride that you can't get off. Eventually, even Jack runs out of road.
NY77: The Coolest Year in Hell (2007, 120 minutes, Henry Corra) A two-hour VH1 Rock Doc that documents one of the most tumultuous years in New York City’s history. The Emmy nominated documentary examines everything from the birth of hip-hop, the burgeoning disco movement, the famed New York blackout, the Son of Sam murders, the sexual revolution and the city’s ongoing financial and political problems. The list of people interviewed by Corra includes Mayor Ed Koch, Screw magazine publisher Al Goldstein, porn actress Annie Sprinkle, hip-hop pioneers KRS One, Afrika Bambaataa and D.J. Kool Herc, punk’s Richard Hell, Blondie’s Christ Stein, Studio 54 co-owner Ian Schrager and disco diva Gloria Gaynor.
Same Sex America (2005, 90 minutes, Henry Corra, Charlene Rule) History was made when Massachusetts became the first state in the nation to sanction gay marriage. Filmmaker Henry Corra weaves the stories of seven gay and lesbian couples on their emotional journey to the altar with the dramatic showdown at Massachusetts' constitutional convention, a vivid demonstration of democracy in action that may change the course of history. The film captures all the nuance of what may be the defining chapter in the history of the gay and lesbian struggle for equal rights.
Frames (2004, 53 minutes, Henry Corra, Charlene Rule) In this film about legendary media artist Grahame Weinbren, Corra effectively captures the complexity, mystery and excitement of the creative process. The film takes its lead from Weinbren’s work where spectators become characters and subjects, living participants as they interact with sound and story, image and screen. Frames had its world premiere at the 2004 Tribeca Film Festival in New York City.
George (2000, 88 minutes, Henry Corra, Grahame Weinbren) Described by Amy Taubin in The Village Voice
The Village Voice
The Village Voice is a free weekly newspaper and news and features website in New York City that features investigative articles, analysis of current affairs and culture, arts and music coverage, and events listings for New York City...
, as “an exceptionally intelligent and moving documentary that explores Corra’s twelve-year-old autistic son George, who uses his own video camera to make a movie within the movie. In fact, the film is about how we define normalcy.” George had its American theatrical premiere at The Screening Room, New York and was shown at the Museum of Modern Art, New York, The National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., The Gaga Film Festival, Berlin Germany. It aired on HBO in July 2000.
Umbrellas (1994, 93 minutes, Henry Corra, Grahame Weinbren) The controversial story of the artist Christo’s grand-scale environmental art project in Japan and California that ended in the tragic death of two of its spectators. At its world premiere in 1994 at the Berlin International Film Festival
Berlin International Film Festival
The Berlin International Film Festival , also called the Berlinale, is one of the world's leading film festivals and most reputable media events. It is held in Berlin, Germany. Founded in West Berlin in 1951, the festival has been celebrated annually in February since 1978...
, Howard Feinstein of Variety
Variety (magazine)
Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
praised the film as, “highly original and structurally flawless . . . an ambitious documentary about an ambitious project.” Umbrellas won The Grand Prize at the Montreal International Film Festival. It was shown at the Museum of Modern Art
Museum of Modern Art
The Museum of Modern Art is an art museum in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, on 53rd Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. It has been important in developing and collecting modernist art, and is often identified as the most influential museum of modern art in the world...
, New York, the National Gallery of Art
National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art and its Sculpture Garden is a national art museum, located on the National Mall between 3rd and 9th Streets at Constitution Avenue NW, in Washington, DC...
, Washington, D.C. and The Louvre Museum, Paris and on the European network ARTE.
Change of Heart (1992, 57 minutes, Henry Corra, Kate Hirson) This documentary explores the reversal of heart disease through changes in lifestyle. It is an intimate portrait of four patients, four wives and one doctor. Change of Heart premiered nationally on PBS/NOVA in 1992 and was shown at: NY Film and TV Festival (1992), National Film and Video Festival (1992), Blakeslee Award for Medical Journalism (1992), Academy of Medical Films (1992).
Television and Commercials
MTV Truelife: I'm Ex-Amish (2010), Directed by Henry Corra) Growing up AmishAmish
The Amish , sometimes referred to as Amish Mennonites, are a group of Christian church fellowships that form a subgroup of the Mennonite churches...
can be tough: no phones, electricity, or cars, and your parents teach you to fear the “devil’s playground” outside your door. So what happens when you want to move on, break free, and join the outside world? Corra Films followed three young adults who have left the flock on their journey to find independence, a new life, and a new kind of family. Currently airing on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
.