Keswick Film Festival 2011
VETERAN director Jack Gold, the man who made the last Inspector Morse episode starring one of his favourite actors, the late John Thaw, is a coup for this year's Keswick Film Festival, which runs from February 10-13.
Gold will be in attendance to answer questions following the screening of his film Red Monarch. Festival director Ann Martin said: "We are amazingly fortunate in being able to screen this film as no media is available in the UK. Many thanks to Goldcrest for loaning their international print."
Jack Gold, 80, has many fantastic films and television programmes to his name (The Medusa Touch, The Naked Civil Servant and the very last Morse to mention but three). He was also part of the British Realist Tradition that followed Free Cinema, thus he has a long and illustrious career to draw on.
He left University College in London after completing a degree in law and economics, to take up a career as an editor on the BBC's Tonight programme, working with the likes of Alan Whicker and Fyfe Robertson.
Initially he was a trainee studio manager, moving on to the film department of the BBC as a trainee film editor working on schools' programmes and Tonight, where he became a director. He went on to direct documentaries, adaptations and a Wednesday Play. As a freelance he made films for ATV and Rediffusion.
Gold once said that directors like himself, Ken Loach and Ken Russell were happy working for TV "because it's a great place to work and you know you have an audience."
He has been described as a "self effacing but sensitive director" much admired by actors for his attention to the inner motives of his character and his concern for the truth of the situation.
Many people will remember The Naked Civil Servant which starred John Hurt in a poignant and funny portrait of Quentin Crisp. Gold also directed Goodnight Mister Tom with John Thaw and the final Inspector Morse episode "The Remorseful Day."
Other highlights of this year's festival include a second rare opportunity to see a great British film with the screening of Les Blair's Jump The Gun. Special permission had to be obtained from and granted by Channel 4 solicitors. This title is being screened as part of a C4 Film appreciation.
The passing of Jack Cardiff in April 2009 was a great loss to the world of cinema. Jack was the very first guest of Keswick Film Festival and Craig McCall will lbe coming to add even more personal insights and anecdotes following the screening of his documentary Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff.
There is a host of films from established and new directors, the best of world cinema including an appreciation of the works of Agnes Varda, a selection of war films that take a very different view to the norm, documentaries offering plenty of debate, a unique interpretation of Frankenstein - complete with choir--, the Osprey Awards for Short Films and the gala opener with special guest Kay Mellor.
Ann Martin said: "All-in-all the programme, special events, stunning scenery and our awesome setting afford film-lovers a wonderful weekend and we look to welcoming them to KFF 2011." More details about the Keswick Film Festival can be found at: www.keswickfilmclub.org www.keswickfilmfestival.org Or by phoning Ann Martin, Festival director on: 07970388564.
