By Angels Driven : The Films of Derek Jarman

Derek Jarman was one of the most innovative British filmmakers of his generation. Working largely outside the British film establishment and within tight budgetary constraints, he produced a series of features and shorter films that are highly personal and yet responsive to major issues of our time. For Jarman, the most compelling of these was undoubtedly the celebration of gay culture and the battle for gay rights—in which he was prominent until his death. This book brings together seven new essays on Jarman's work, one of the director's last interviews, and supporting filmography and bibliography. This book brings together seven new essays on Jarman's work, one of the director's last interviews, and supporting filmography and bibliography. The contributions examine the full range of his output from Sebastiane (1976) to Blue (1993), and include discussion of his approach to narration, his role as gay activist, his commitment to English artistic traditions and fascination with the age of Shakespeare, and the changing aesthetic preferences of his last films.