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Cambridge Film Festival · 2008

Cambridge Film Festival 2008

Derek Jarman Remembered

The work of the experimental filmmaker is celebrated in this retrospective set of screenings. Also featured is a new film starring Tilda Swinton - often considered to be Jarman's muse.

In addition to the features listed below, there will also be a number of short film showcases.

Programme

8 films · 3 reviews

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Blue

Jarman's final work, which features an unchanging blue screen and collaged soundscape.

(Country: UK; Year: 1993; Director: Derek Jarman; Writer: Derek Jarman; Stars: John Quentin, Nigel Terry, Derek Jarman, Tilda Swinton)

The Devils

Review preview for The Devils

It’s a frenetic ride, but one that builds to a sombre climax.

Jeff Robson · 4.5 out of 5
A rebellious priest in 17th-century France is falsely accused of witchcraft.

(Country: UK; Year: 1971; Director: Ken Russell; Writer: Aldous Huxley, Ken Russell, John Whiting; Stars: Vanessa Redgrave, Oliver Reed, Dudley Sutton, Max Adrian, Gemma Jones, Murray Melvin, Michael Gothard, Georgina Hale, Brian Murphy, Christopher Logue)

Full review

Derek

Film involving two courageous and innovative artists - one the subject and one the filmmaker - provides a cinematic journey that illuminates the work and enduring importance of the late Derek Jarman.

(Country: UK; Year: 2008; Director: Isaac Julien)

Edward II

Retelling of the regal tragedy also puts the boot in to Thatcher's Britain.

(Country: UK; Year: 1991; Director: Derek Jarman; Writer: Ken Butler, Steve Clark-Hall, Derek Jarman, Stephen McBride, Antony Root, based on the play by Christopher Marlowe; Stars: Steven Waddington, Kevin Collins, Andrew Tiernan, John Lynch, Dudley Sutton, Tilda Swinton, Jerome Flynn, Jody Graber, Nigel Terry, Jill Balcon)

Julia

Review preview for Julia

Swinton is mesmerising as a messed-up drunk.

Amber Wilkinson · 3.5 out of 5
An alcoholic finds herself in deep trouble after kidnapping a kid.

(Country: France, US, Mexico, Belgium; Year: 2008; Director: Erick Zonca; Writer: Michael Collins, Camille Natta, Aude Py, Erick Zonca; Stars: Tilda Swinton, Saul Rubinek, Kate del Castillo, Aidan Gould, Jude Ciccolella, Bruno Bichir, Horacio Garcia Rojas, Kevin Kilner, John Bellucci, Ezra Buzzington)

Full review

Ostia

The last night in the life of Pier Paolo Pasolini, sees Jarman take the role of his icon.

(Country: UK; Year: 1991; Director: Julian Cole; Writer: Julian Cole; Stars: David Dipnall, Derek Jarman)

La Rabbia

Documentary about the state of post Second World War Italy.

(Country: Italy; Year: 1963; Director: Giovanni Guareschi, Pier Paolo Pasolini; Writer: Giovanni Guareschi, Pier Paolo Pasolini; Stars: Giorgio Bassani, Renato Guttuso, Gigi Artuso, Carlo Romano, Charles de Gaulle, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Yuri Gagarin, Ava Gardner, Nikita Khrushchev, V.I. Lenin)

War Requiem

Review preview for War Requiem

What makes the episodic, almost piecemeal direction so effective is the way in which Jarman alternates between the individual and the universal impact of war.

Adam Micklethwaite · 4 out of 5
An enigmatic and visually powerful statement against war.

(Country: UK; Year: 1989; Director: Derek Jarman; Writer: Derek Jarman, based on Wilfred Owen's poetry and Benjamin Britten's score; Stars: Laurence Olivier, Nathaniel Parker, Tilda Swinton, Patricia Hayes, Owen Teale, Sean Bean)

Full review