Robert M. Young, a multifaceted filmmaker whose illustrious career spanned an impressive 70 years, encompassing independent and studio documentaries, narrative features, and notable contributions to television such as Battlestar Galactica, passed away at the age of 99 in Los Angeles. His son confirmed his demise through a Facebook post.
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Young’s legacy is celebrated with the recent addition of two of his films to the esteemed Library of Congress Film Registry. Among them is ¡Alambrista! (1977), a poignant portrayal of the struggles faced by an undocumented Mexican immigrant, which earned the prestigious Camera d’Or for best first film at Cannes. Another significant inclusion is The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez (1982), one of Young’s collaborations with acclaimed actor Edward James Olmos. Based on a true story that inspired a traditional corrido, the film recounts the gripping tale of a man evading authorities after a confrontation with law enforcement.
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Robert Milton Young was born in New York and pursued his education at MIT before serving in the Navy during World War II in the South Pacific. Following his military service, he graduated from Harvard University.
Young embarked on his professional journey by crafting scientific films, which laid the foundation for his subsequent ventures into directing and cinematography, particularly in the realm of documentaries.
In 1960, while working for NBC News, Young’s documentary Sit-In, featuring footage of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the nascent stages of the civil rights movement, earned him a prestigious Peabody Award. This pivotal project paved the way for his involvement in Nothing but a Man (1964), directed by Michael Roemer, where he served as cinematographer, co-writer, and co-producer.
His directorial debut came with the independent film Short Eyes (1977), an adaptation of Miguel Piñero’s play, delving into the harrowing experiences of an accused child rapist in a New York prison, portrayed by Bruce Davison. This was followed by Alambrista! and two studio productions, Rich Kids and One-Trick Pony, the latter featuring Paul Simon.
Throughout his illustrious career, Young helmed notable films such as Extremities with Farrah Fawcett, Dominick and Eugene with Tom Hulce and Ray Liotta, Triumph of the Spirit with Willem Dafoe, and American Me, exploring the dynamics of Mexican-American gangs within the prison system.
Young is survived by his wife Lili, sons Andrew, Nick, and Zack, daughters Melissa and Sarah, and nine grandchildren. Plans for a memorial service are currently underway.
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