Edward II

Friday, May 4 - Thursday, May 10, 2018

In this new digital restoration of the iconic New Queer Cinema classic, Derek Jarman offers a postmodern take on Christopher Marlowe’s Elizabethan drama. Pleasure-seeking King Edward II sets the stage for a palace revolt by taking as a lover the ambitious Piers Gaveston – who uses his favor in bed to wield political influence – sending the pair from the throne to a terminal torture dungeon. This landmark of gay cinema features an incredible performance from Jarman muse and Oscar-winner Tilda Swinton (Michael Clayton) as Edward’s spurned Queen Isabella and a rare film appearance by singer Annie Lennox.

“Jarman’s EDWARD II still provokes, thrills, and bewitches… sparely elegant but urgently brazen… a triumph.” — Village Voice (2018)

Official Selection: Sundance Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival
Winner: Volpi Cup, Best Actress – Venice Film Festival; Golden Hitchcock – Dinard British Film Festival; Teddy, Best Feature Film – Berlinale; FIPRESCI Prize – Berlinale

Country UK
Year 1991
Running Time 87 minutes
Director Derek Jarman
Writer Derek Jarman, Christopher Marlowe (play), Stephen McBride, Ken Butler
Editor George Akers
Cinematographer Ian Wilson
Cast Tilda Swinton, Steven Waddington, Andrew Tiernan, Nigel Terry, Annie Lennox