Tributes are being paid to US film director Michael Cimino, who has died aged 77.
Mr Cimino's body was discovered at his home in Los Angeles, BBC reports.
Cimino was one of the key figures of the so-called 'New Hollywood' - a period between the late 1960s and early 1980s that saw a number of young American directors produce a huge variety of influential and provocative films.
Cimino was best known for his 1978 film The Deer Hunter, about the Vietnam War. It won Cimino two Oscars, for Best Film and Best Director.
He followed up that film with the film Heaven's Gate, one of Hollywood's most infamous critical and commercial flops.
However, Heaven's Gate has seen some significant critical reappraisal in recent years, with Martin Scorsese among its many defenders.
Cimino directed a total of seven features, having initially worked on the scripts for films such as Silent Running.
Filmmakers, actors and critics have been among those paying tribute to Cimino, with Exorcist director William Friedkin describing him as a "masterful filmmaker".
In a statement quoted by Variety, Deer Hunter star Robert de Niro said: “Our work together is something I will always remember. He will be missed.”
I wish I had paid tribute to Michael Cimino while he was alive.
He was an important and masterful film maker.
We will always have his work— William Friedkin (@WilliamFriedkin) July 2, 2016
Everybody will remember Cimino's "big ones" like The Deer Hunter but I have Thunderbolt and Lightfoot close to my heart.
— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) July 2, 2016
Thunderbolt and Lightfoot
The Deer Hunter
And yes...
Heaven's Gate- Michael Cimino
May the rest of us do half as well.
— ChristopherMcQuarrie (@chrismcquarrie) July 2, 2016
Heaven's Gate – perhaps *the* great immigrant epic – seems more beautiful, lacerating, necessary with every passing day. RIP Michael Cimino.
— Robbie Collin (@robbiereviews) July 2, 2016
I cannot believe Michael Cimino has passed away too. 'Thunderbolt & Lightfoot' is one of my favourite films. R.I.P. https://t.co/uh9JHIgAKy
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) July 2, 2016
Heavens Gate was the bravest swing for the fences. May we all be that bold when we turn on the camera. #MichaelCimino
— Jason Reitman (@JasonReitman) July 3, 2016
