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