Lee, Ray to get lifetime kudos at Gotham Awards
Helmer, exec honored with achievement awards
|
Lee will receive the Bravo Lifetime Achievement Award; Ray will receive the Industry Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by the New York Times.
"Both Ang Lee and Bingham Ray have brought incredible vision to their work and have established themselves within the New York filmmaking community," said Michelle Byrd, executive director of IFP/New York.
"They both have defied convention -- Lee by his extraordinary diversity … Ray for his long-standing commitment to some of the world's most acclaimed auteurs. Their success is a testament to their boundless energy, belief in the endless possibilities of filmmaking, and fearless vision."
Lee's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," released by Sony Pictures Classics, became the most successful foreign-lingo pic of all time. Pic garnered 10 Oscar noms, including best picture and best director, and won four Oscars, including best foreign film. Lee is currently making "The Hulk" for Universal Pictures.
MGM tapped Ray head of UA in September, installing him in Gotham offices. A 20-plus-year vet of the film biz, Ray had served as co-president of October Films, which he co-founded in 1991. The company quickly established itself with films such as Mike Leigh's "Secrets and Lies," Lars von Trier's "Breaking the Waves," David Lynch's "Lost Highway" and John Dahl's "The Last Seduction."
Prior to starting October, Ray distributed such pics as "Sid and Nancy," "The Last Emperor" and "Drugstore Cowboy."
