Theo Rollason’s documentary Queer Edward II aims to depict a filmmaking ethos that is not present today, according to the team behind the film.
Set in spring 1991, Queer Edward II shows Derek Jarman’s work of adapting Christopher Marlowe’s play Edward II into a radical protest film, at a time when queer life in Britain was under attack. A feature directorial debut for UK filmmaker Rollason, it is composed of previously unseen behind-the-scenes footage and rushes shot by Edward II cinematographer Seamus McGarvey, and has its world premiere out of competition at Venice film festival today.
“When I first saw the first cut of this film, it made me realise how lucky we were to have experienced all that,” said Sandy Powell, a regular Jarman collaborator who was costume designer on Edward II and is executive producer on Rollason’s film. “Working on a Derek Jarman film is like nothing else. The most striking thing about Derek was his generosity and inclusion. He would talk to anybody about any decision. He could talk to somebody sweeping the floor about what they thought the next shot was.”
“It was a bit of a party making these films, although it was hard work and life-changing,” said Simon Fisher-Turner, composer on both films, speaking at the Queer Edward II press conference in Venice. “It was painless, a beautiful experience, and I’m not quite sure if one could say that about working these days.” “Not the same,” agreed Powell.
“One of the questions that was going through my mind in making the film was around how far you can push protests and what the limits of that are,” said Rollason. “Everyone should be thinking about that when we’re in conditions such as exist today.”
“We can’t protest enough!” chimed in Fisher-Turner.
Mobilisation
Actor Russell Tovey, who did not meet Jarman before his 1994 death from AIDS-related illness, is an executive producer on the film, and spoke of the inspiration he takes from the activism of that time, and how it can be a lesson for those looking to improve the treatment of LGBTQ+ people in society today.
“I’ve really looked to this mobilisation and how so many people came together,” said Tovey. “You think, how did everybody know? Now it’s an update on Instagram, we’re going to be here at this time; but then, everyone just turned up. Everybody knew.
“It’s that conversation within the communities; everybody was so connected and so angry and understood the power of that. I hope this grassroots activism is something that can be seen in this documentary, and that people will be inspired to know that they can and should be doing that right now. We have to. It’s terrifying.”
Activist Peter Tatchell was a close friend of Jarman’s and appears in Queer Edward II. “It is still relevant today because in Britain and many other countries, there are still hundreds, if not thousands, of homophobic, biphobic and transphobic attacks every single year,” said Tatchell, citing a recent murder of a gay man in the UK. “Much less than it was 30 or 40 years ago. But that battle against anti-LGBTQ+ violence, which is depicted in the film, is still very relevant today.”
Queer Edward II is produced by Ahmad Ahmadzadeh for Lightborn Films, Ben Fowlie for Blue Moon Films, and Sebastien Rabasa for Matter Out of Place, all of the UK, with Michael Sherman of US company March 13th. It is made in association with the UK’s John Gore Studios, with After Hours and Cinephil handling sales.
Venice film festival runs until Saturday, September 12.
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