Derek

United Kingdom

2008

76 Min

Color, Black and White

1.85:1

English

Currently 3.6/5 Stars.
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DIR Isaac Julien, Bernard Rose

EXEC Isaac Julien, James Mackay, Tilda Swinton

PROD Colin MacCabe, Eliza Mellor

CAST Derek Jarman, Tilda Swinton, Isaac Julien

MUSIC Simon Fisher-Turner

Sundance (World Cinema Documentary Competition), Berlinale (Panorama Dokument), Outfest (Documentary Features)

Synopsis

Academy Award® winner Tilda Swinton personally conducts an intimate cinematic commemoration of the life, times, and work of UK filmmaker, artist, and renegade Derek Jarman in Derek.

Isaac Julien’s (Young Soul Rebels, Looking for Langston) documentary blends together vintage clips from Jarman’s groundbreaking experimental theatrical works and 8mm films, never-before-seen footage from the sets of his Queer Cinema milestone Sebastiane and punk film landmark Jubilee, and revealing interview footage shot shortly before Jarman’s death in 1994. In his own words and the words of those who knew him best, Derek reveals Jarman’s religion-scarred beginnings and his ascent in the vibrant UK counterculture of the 60s and the London punk scene of the 70s. Also covered, his eight film collaboration with muse, companion and collaborator Tilda Swinton, the influential music videos made with The Smiths and The Pet Shop Boys, and Jarman’s contributions to a British art scene he helped to redefine.

Both a “heartbreaking and giddily alive biopic” and an “accomplished homage” (Art Forum), Isaac Julien’s Derek is a joyful requiem celebrating Derek Jarman’s life, vision and legacy with the same maverick energy and affectionate creativity that made its subject one of the most important artistic mirrors of his time. –Kino

Director

Isaac Julien

Isaac Julien (born 1960, London, England) is an installation artist and filmmaker.

Julien graduated from St Martin’s School of Art in 1985, where he studied painting and fine art film. He founded Sankofa Film and Video Collective, and was a founder member of Normal Films in 1999.

Julien came to prominence in the film world with his 1989 drama-documentary Looking for Langston, gaining a cult following with this poetic exploration of Langston Hughes and the Harlem Renaissance. This following was expanded in 1991 when his film Young Soul Rebels won the Semaine de la Critique prize for best film at the Cannes Film Festival.

One of the objectives of Julien’s work is to break down the barriers that exist between different artistic disciplines, drawing from and commenting on film, dance, photography, music, theatre, painting and sculpture, and uniting these to construct a powerfully visual narrative. Thematically, much of his work directly relates to experiences… read more

Bernard Rose

Bernard Rose (born 4 August 1960) is an English actor and film director most famous for his direction of the 1992 urban horror film Candyman and the 1994 historical romance film Immortal Beloved.

Rose was born in London, England. He began making super 8 films when he was 9. By 1975, he won an amateur movie competition hosted by BBC which led to the broadcasting of his works. He worked for Jim Henson on the last season of The Muppet Show and then again on The Dark Crystal in 1981. He attended National Film and Television School and graduated in 1982 with a Master’s in Filmmaking. After this, he moved on to directing music videos for MTV, one of which was the uncensored version of Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s hit “Relax.”

Shortly after his production of music videos, he moved on to direct British TV films such as Prospects and then finally in 1988 directed his first major full length film, Paperhouse.

Rose got his big break into American cinema with 1992’s Candyman… read more

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richmondhill

18May10

Decent, fairly straightforward, documentary juxtaposing a videoed interview from 1990 with an intercut monologue by frequent Jarman collaborator, Swinton, musing over the director's legacy. A little too heavily biased towards the feature films over the art, but generously illustrated and thoughtfully constructed. As good an overview as you're likely to get of Jarman's work and, to a lesser extent, life.