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An archive of Ken Russell news. Click news above for the latest updates. Savage Messiah in Wotton-Under-Edge, UK
Wotton Cinema are showing Savage Messiah on 30 March 2025. This is part of a celebration of Sophie Gaudier-Brzeska.
"Sophie Gaudier-Brzeska, who lived in Wotton from 1916 to 1922, will
be celebrated this month with events marking the centenary of her
death... Sophie, a distinguished writer, poet, and author, was known
for her work in English, French, and Polish. Despite her
contributions, she has rested in an unmarked grave for a century.
A stone marker was finally unveiled at her grave in Tredworth Road
Cemetery, Gloucester, on Monday, March 17, as part of the
commemorative events.
Information from Matty Airey, The Gazette, 18 March 2025, click
here.
Tommy on Blu-ray and UHD
Shout Factory are releasing Tommy on Blu-ray and UHD.
The Shout Factory website is
here.
Ken Russell season in London The Prince Charles Cinema in London present a season of Ken Russell films:
The cinema website is here. For more on the films click here.
Crimes of Passion in Knoxville, USA
The Knoxville Horror Film Fest present Crimes of Passion on 15 February 2025. It is in a double bill with Gus Van Sant's To Die For in the Central Cinema. "CRIMES OF PASSION, a trashy romp featuring electric performances from Kathleen Turner and Anthony Perkins... In the early 1980s, British filmmaker Ken Russell (THE DEVILS, TOMMY) travelled to America and placed his unorthodox imprint on CRIMES OF PASSION—a crazed erotic thriller starring Kathleen Turner (SERIAL MOM) and Anthony Perkins (PSYCHO). Fashion designer Joanna Crane (Turner) leads a double life. At night, she is China Blue, a prostitute who has attracted the attention of a psychopathic priest (Perkins). With its outrageous script by gay screenwriter Barry Sandler and sparkling score from Rick Wakeman of the band Yes, CRIMES OF PASSION is a movie that could only have been realized by the gonzo creativity of Ken Russell". The cinema website is here. For more on Crimes of Passion click here.
Alice in Russialand on YouTube
Alice in Russialand is now on YouTube. Alice falls through a rabbit hole and floats down, with images of Russians floating by- leaders such as Khrushchev, Brezhnev, Gorbachov, Yeltsin along with cultural icons such as Tolstoy and Tchaikovsky and national hero Yuri Gagarin. Some of the imagery is reminiscent of early film-maker Mêliés. The online link is here. For more on Alice in Russialand click here.
Thanks to Alicia who found the online copy and posted details on the
forum.
New book: Ken Russell Interviews
"In Ken Russell: Interviews, the filmmaker discusses his colorful life
and career, from his youth fascinated by movies to his early work in
television through his feature films and his retreat to home movies".
The editor is Barry Keith Grant. More details soon.
The Death of Alexander Scriabin
Details of Ken Russell's radio play on a meeting between composer Alexander
Scriabin and notorious English mystic Aleister
Crowley. With Oliver Reed, James Wilby and Hetty
Baynes. You can also hear a short extract from the play- click
here
Folk Horror on Film
A new book Folk horror on film edited by Kevin J. Donnelly and Louis Bayman has been issued, and will include Ken Russell's The Lair of the White Worm". "What is folk horror and how culturally significant is it? This collection is the first study to address these questions while considering the special importance of British cinema to the genre's development. The book presents political and aesthetic analyses of folk horror's uncanny landscapes and frightful folk. It places canonical films like Witchfinder General (1968), The Blood on Satan's Claw (1971) and The Wicker Man (1973) in a new light and expands the canon to include films like the sci-fi horror Doomwatch (1970-72) and the horror documentary Requiem for a Village (1975) alongside filmmakers Ken Russell and Ben Wheatley". Sounds interesting. It is currently an expensive hardback (£90) but when in paperback I will post more.
For more on The Lair of the White Worm click
here .
YouTube tribute to Ken Russell
A tribute to the visual imagery of Ken Russell's films set to the Sparks song This Town Ain't Big Enough For the Both of Us.
The link is
here.
Ken Russell Book launch and Symposium
A new book Refocus: the Films of Ken Russell, part of ReFocus: The International Directors Series, edited by Matthew Melia. Shoddy Wikipedia article on The Music Lovers To give an example of biased criticism of Ken Russell see the Wikipedia entry. It quotes Time Out New York on The Music Lovers "vulgar, excessive, melodramatic and self-indulgent . . . " (Wikipedia, accessed 3 May 2023, click here).
The "..." cuts out some words. The original reads "vulgar, excessive, melodramatic and self-indulgent: Tchaikovsky's music is indeed all of these things, yet gloriously so, and the same goes for Ken Russell at his freewheeling best" (TJ, Time Out, 10 September 2012, click here). This is shoddy misrepresentation of the review by TJ, of Tchaikovsky and of Ken Russell.
Too late- you missed it The Lair of the White Worm in Seattle, USA
The Grand Illusion Cinema in Seattle present The Lair of the White Worm on 17 January 2025.
“Russell’s compositions are gorgeous to look at, though it’s the
deliciousness with which the story unravels that made Lair of the
White Worm Russell’s most enjoyable film since his masterpiece Crimes
of Passion.” Ed Gonzalez, Slant
The cinema website is
here.
Song of Summer in London Song of Summer will be shown at the Royal Festival Hall,
London on 29 Jan 2012. There is a planned round table discussion
with Julian Lloyd Webber, Delius expert Lyndon Jenkins and other guests.
Ken and Peter Blake
Ken and Peter Blake appear in conversation on Sky Arts on 15 Jan 2012. Peter Blake is famour for designing the cover of Sgt. Pepper, and appeared in Ken's television film Pop Goes the Easel. Click on the image for a trailer.
Ken's photos in the Isle of White, UK - extended Photographs by Ken at Dimbola Museum and Galleries 'London Lost and Rediscovered.' It is on from 7 Oct 2011- 15 Jan 2012 (this is extended). Details are here.
Ken Russell: A Bit of a Devil and Women in Love and The Rainbow BBC2 are broadcasting Ken Russell: A Bit of a Devil, presented by Alan Yentob. Women in Love follows then The Rainbow. It is on 14 Jan 2012. Thanks to Richmond74 for the details.
Ken Russell passes away Following a number of strokes recently, Ken died peacefully in his sleep. Happily he lived to see Dance of the Seven Veils on the screen (the last time I talked to him a couple of months ago) and he lived to see The Devils announced on DVD.
Gothic in 3D!!!
Amazingly Ken's Gothic has been converted to 3D. It is Region 1 (USA). Click on the image to order. Thanks to Willem for the information.
The Music Lovers on DVD: UK and USA
The Music Lovers was released in the US on 27 Sept 2011, an MGM Made on Demand DVD. Thanks to Brian for the information.
Savage Messiah and The Boy Friend on DVD
New short film on Aleister Crowley
A new short film by Ken is underway. Ken plays devil worshipper Aleister Crowley. Click on the image for the details from Imperium Pictures.
Invasion of the Not Quite Dead
A new film but Ken produces and plays a role rather than
directs. The director and writer is Tony Lane and the actors include Ajay
Nayyar, Warwick Davis, Lloyd Kaufman, Peter Iasillo Jr, Laura Harvey and Thomas
Fisher.
Ken in poor health Ken had two strokes recently, and is feeling frail though he is still walking about. Best wishes to him for a good recovery.
Dear Censor on BBC4 BBC 4 show a programme on film censorship. Ken's letter to the censor on The Devils is "Dear John: I have cleaned up the shit from the altar and cut the orgy in half". It is on 29 Sept 2011.
very rare showing of Dance of the Seven Veils
The Dance of the Seven Veils and Mahler will be shown at the Chichester Film Festival on 28 Aug 2011. Ken Russell and Georgina Hale will be present. Click on the image for more details. Thanks to Ian for the information.
Je suis Charlie on the front page Ken's wife Lisi agrees Ken would want to post a Je Suis Charlie declaration. It is on the front page.
Altered States in London
The National Film Theatre in London are showing Altered States on 7 and 9 Nov 2014. It is part of their Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder series. Click on the image for more details. Major festival in Poland
The t-mobile New Horizons International Film Festival in Wrocław, Poland has a massive selection of Ken's films and television. It is on from 24 Jul- 3 Aug 2014. The following films:
The following television:
The following shorts:
One of the guests will be Lisi Russell, Ken's wife. Click on the image for more details.
South Bank films on DVD: delays The films Ken made for Melvyn Braggs South Bank Show are coming on DVD. Details have to be confirmed but it may include
It is Region 2, you can pre-order here. Thanks to Apuleius from the discussion forum for the information. The date for release has been put back to Dec 2013, which suggests there may be a problem. Major Ken Russell festival in Belgium A major festival of Ken's films in Belgium. Tons of films and talks. It is on from 13-23 Mar 2014.
Details are here.
Derek Jarman Festival in London
The British Film Institute in London have a Derek Jarman festival, and Savage
Messiah is one of the films. It is on 9 Feb 2014. "Although less well known than The Devils, the second Ken Russell movie for which Jarman provided art direction is no minor picture. Centred on sculptor Henri Gaudier and his ill-fated, obsessive relationship with Sophie
Brzeska, it smoulders with considerable intensity and intimacy despite a limited budget. Jarman’s striking sets (which included a 1910s nightclub) reflect the creative politics of the era and provide a rich, theatrical backdrop for the doomed affair. There may be a VERY special guest at the showing. The Guest was Scott Antony.
Left Murray Melvin and Georgina Hale, both regulars in Ken's films, then
Scott then me. Photo by Lisi Russell, Ken's wife.
An archive of Ken Russell news. Click news below for the latest updates. |
