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The Life and Legacy of Bingham Ray
Bingham Ray was an American independent film executive, born on October 1, 1954. He was a co-founder of indie film distributor October Films and served as the president of United Artists from 2001 to 2004. At the time of his death, he was the executive director of the San Francisco Film Society. His career in the film industry was marked by his distinctive creative vision and stylistic adventurousness that stood apart from the mainstream. This led to the creation of the Bingham Ray Award, an award bestowed upon an emerging filmmaker whose work exemplifies a similar spirit.
Bingham Ray’s Contribution to Independent Cinema
Ray began his career as a manager/programmer of the Bleecker Street Cinema in 1981. He left a significant mark on the independent film scene, where he helped bring movies like Mike Leigh’s Secrets & Lies and Lars von Trier’s Breaking the Waves to American audiences. He co-founded October Films in 1991 and served as its co-president until its sale to USA Networks in 1999. In 2001, he was named president of United Artists, which during his tenure released the Oscar-winning foreign language film No Man’s Land, directed by Danis Tanovic, and Michael Moore’s Oscar-winning documentary Bowling for Columbine.
The Final Chapter: Bingham Ray’s Cause of Death
According to multiple sources, Bingham Ray suffered a stroke during the Sundance Film Festival. He was initially hospitalized in Park City. Following a second stroke, Ray was transferred to Provo, where he later died. The exact cause of death was not released, but it was confirmed that he died following complications of a stroke.
Remembering Bingham Ray
Ray’s death was a significant loss to the film community. His untimely passing was mourned by many, and his contributions to the industry continue to be celebrated. The 39th Telluride Film Festival in 2013 was dedicated to him. The 2012 film Stand Up Guys starring Christopher Walken and Al Pacino, and the 2015 feature documentary The First Film, which proves that the world’s very first film was made in England by Louis Le Prince, were also dedicated to Ray. His legacy continues to inspire and influence the world of independent cinema.
