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A British Picture reissued
Ken's autobiography A British Picture has being reissued in
an updated version.
"The updated autobiography of Britain’s most controversial
film director, the maker of Women in Love, The Devils, The Music Lovers, Tommy
and The Rainbow, is as unconventional and brilliant as his best films.
Moving with astonishing assurance through time and space, Russell recreates his
life in a series of interconnected episodes – his thirties childhood in
Southampton, his first sexual experience (watching Disney’s Pinocchio), his
schooldays at the Nautical College, Pangbourne, early careers in the Merchant
Marine and the Royal Air Force, dancing days at the Shepherds Bush Ballet Club
and of course his career as a film-maker, beginning with an extraordinary
interview with Huw Wheldon for a job on Monitor. Full of marvellously funny
anecdotes and fascinating insights into the realities of the film director's
life, A British Picture is a remarkable autobiography." Thanks to Paul for
the information.
You can buy it here. Recommended.
BBC films on DVD in
USA
Some of the best and rarest of Ken's work is released on DVD. The films are The Debussy Film, Dante's Inferno,
Always on Sunday, Isadora: The Biggest Dancer in the World, A Song of Summer and
Elgar. It is a USA release. Originally it was to include Dance of the Seven Veils
but obviously the Strauss estate blocked it and Elgar was substituted.
Thanks to Michael for the info. Click on the image for more info.
You can buy it here.
Phallic Frenzy
By Joseph Lanza and sub-titled Ken Russell and his films,
this major new book is now available. As well as the films it covers Ken's
opera and video work. This will be the first full length book on Ken since
1984. You can buy the book in the shop (click
here). Recommended.
Ken writing for The
Times on Tuesday
Ken's weekly article for The Times
is now on Tuesdays.
Highly recommended.
In Search of the
English Folk Song on DVD
Gaudi
on DVD
BBC films on DVD
In Search of the English Folk Song is on DVD, American
format.
Ken's film on architect Gaudi is available along with Hiroshi
Teshigahara's Gaudi film.
A Kitten for Hitler
on-line
A Kitten for Hitler is available on the Comedybox site. 'Ten years ago, while
working on The South Bank Show, Melvyn Bragg and I had a heated discussion on
the pros and cons of film censorship. Broadly speaking, Melvyn was against it,
while I, much to his surprise, was absolutely for it. He then dared me to write
a script that I thought should be banned. I accepted the challenge and a month
or so later sent him a short subject entitled A Kitten for Hitler. “Ken,” he
said, “if ever you make this film and it is shown, you will be lynched.”
...that was ten years ago, and I’m still alive and kicking, but whether that
will still be the case in November only the Lord knows. Because, by the end of
October, the film will be seen the world over, on the Comedybox website.'
Click on the image for the film. Thanks to Ken and Lisi as well as Emma
and Marc for the link.
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