A Ken Russell Tribute: Thursday, Dec. 15
Film School Confidential looks back at the work of a remarkable director
by Staff
The world of cinema lost an iconoclast on November 27, 2011.
In honour of the life and passing of British enfant terrible, Ken Russell, The Revue's Film School Confidential is pleased to present one of his most fascinating and controversial films, the 1984 ode to sex and obsession, Crimes of Passion.
Film School Confidential’s host, critic and journalist Chris Alexander, just returned from interviewing Nicolas Cage in the Bahamas, has called in sick with swollen eyes and congested lungs. Fortunately, Toronto critic Geoff Pevere has kindly agreed to step in and introduce this film, starring Kathleen Turner, as a fashion designer by day and China Blue, a fetish-specializing prostitute, by night. Anthony Perkins plays a psychotic street preacher.
Chris calls Crimes “one of Russell’s naughtiest, funniest, and smartest films.”
Russell’s remarkable filmography includes: The Devils, The Music Lovers, Women in Love, The Rainbow, Tommy, Lisztomania, Gothic, Lair of the White Worm, Salome’s Last Dance.
Chris met the master in July, 2010, and had the remarkable experience of being able to watch The Lair of the White Worm, sitting next to Russell. (They actually sang a duet together along to a tune on the soundtrack by Celtic rock stomper “The D’Ampton Worm. )
Here’s what Chris has to say about this remarkable director:
“In the annals of eccentric, pure cinema, Russell was one of the brightest lights. His was a special talent; a rowdy, passionate, unconventional way of telling tales that was filled with beauty, love of craft, darkness, dirt, glory, gore and fluids of all sorts.”
Don’t miss Film School Confidential, Thursday, December 15, 2011, at 9 p.m. Chris always has lots of giveaways and fascinating comments that put these edgy films in a mainstream, historical context.