Rediscovered Derek Jarman Footage Drives New Documentary ‘Queer Edward II’
A documentary compiled from long-lost behind-the-scenes footage offers a fresh look at director Derek Jarman, according to Variety.
‘Queer Edward II’ is built around a trove of material shot by cinematographer Seamus McGarvey on the set of Jarman's 1991 film ‘Edward II’. The footage was reportedly discovered after being stored away for about 30 years.
The documentary's director, Theo Rollason, largely avoids new interviews. Instead, he blends the on-set material with archival clips of Jarman from contemporary talk shows and news reports on the gay rights movement of the era.
Variety notes the film shows Jarman's production process woven into the social politics of early '90s Britain. One sequence intercuts scenes of a riot filmed with activists from the group Outrage with footage of an actual protest against anti-gay legislation.
The review mentions the documentary includes glimpses of future stars like costume designer Sandy Powell and singer Annie Lennox, who contributed a song to ‘Edward II’. It paints a picture of a passionate but financially constrained production, funded in part by the BBC.
