Rick Alverson [R. Alverson] (born June 25, 1971) is an American filmmaker and musician from Richmond, Virginia.

Films

He has made four feature films in conjunction with the independent label Jagjaguwar

Jagjaguwar

Jagjaguwar is an indie rock record label based in Bloomington, Indiana.-History:In 1996, in Charlottesville, Virginia, friends of Darius Van Arman who performed in a band under the moniker The Curious Digit had just recorded a new album, but they were signed to no label...

. His first, The Builder (2010), is an existential character study of an Irish immigrant at odds with the promise of America. New Jerusalem (2011), his second feature, starring Colm O'leary (The Builder) and Will Oldham

Will Oldham

Will Oldham , better known by the stage name Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, is an American singer-songwriter and actor. From 1993 to 1997, he performed and recorded under variations of the Palace name, including the Palace Brothers, Palace Songs, and Palace Music...

 (Matewan

Matewan

Matewan is an American drama film written and directed by John Sayles, illustrating the events of a coal mine-workers' strike and attempt to unionize in 1920 in Matewan, a small town in the hills of West Virginia....

, Old Joy), again considered the immigrant experience but this time through the lens of religious ideology. His third feature, The Comedy (2012), a tale of the perils of entitlement set in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, will premiere in U.S. dramatic competition at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival

Sundance Film Festival

The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...

. Completed in the fall of 2011, the feature was produced by Mike S. Ryan (Meek’s Cutoff), Brent Kunkle and Glass Eye Pix and stars Tim Heidecker

Tim Heidecker

Tim Heidecker is an American actor, comedian, musician, writer and director. He is one half of the comedy team of Tim and Eric...

 (Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie

Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie

Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie is an upcoming comedy film written and directed by Tim and Eric creators of Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!. The film stars both Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim. Supporting actors include Zach Galifianakis, Will Ferrell, Jeff Goldblum, John C...

) in his first major dramatic role. In 2011, he was awarded a Visual Arts Fellowship from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

The Virginia Museum of Fine arts, or VMFA, is an art museum in Richmond, Virginia, in the United States, which opened in 1936.The museum is owned and operated by the Commonwealth of Virginia, while private donations, endowments, and funds are used for the support of specific programs and all...

. He also has directed videos for Bonny Prince Billy (New Wonder) and Gregor Samsa

Gregor Samsa (band)

Gregor Samsa is a band from Virginia formed in 2000 and fronted by Champ Bennett. It takes its name from the main character of Franz Kafka's novella The Metamorphosis....

(Jeroen Van Aken). Upcoming films include a reconstruction era drama entitled Clement, to be produced in 2012, and Rabbit, both of which continue his collaboration with Colm O'Leary.

Music

In addition to his directorial work he has released 9 records on Jagjaguwar, most recently with his band Spokane in 2007.

Filmography

• The Builder (2010)
• New Jerusalem (2011)
• The Comedy (2012)
• Rabbit (post-production)

Discography

Spokane

• Little Hours | Jagjaguwar (2007)
• Measurement | Jagjaguwar (2005)
• Able Bodies | Jagjaguwar (2003)
• Close Quarters | Acuarela (2001)
• Proud Graduates | Jagjaguwar (2001)
• Leisure and Other Songs | Jagjaguwar (2000)