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Ken Russell

A stylistic maverick who was always happy to push the boundaries of sexuality in cinema, Ken Russell was a bold cinematic pioneer. Best known for the beloved rock opera Tommy, and the hallucinatory cult sci-fi classic Altered States, Russell experimented with many different genres and forms and never shyed away from controversial projects. Unabashed in his depictions of sexuality - he employed respected British thespians Oliver Reed and Alan Bates in a nude-wrestling scene in Women in Love, for example - Russell often found himself in hot water with stuffy critics. Like all envelope-pushing auteurs, however, he has found a devoted following for his distinct body of work. "I know my films upset people. I want to upset people," the filmmaker once stated proudly. He continued to explore strange outlets of provocation even in his later years as a housemate on the British reality TV show "Celebrity Big Brother." Russell died on November 27th, 2011 at the age of 84 and will be missed by a loyal generation of film fans.