Legendary film producer to give last of 2014 AHRI Lectures

Legendary independent film director and producer Don Boyd will give an insight into his career when he appears at the last in this year’s series of Arts & Humanities Research Institute Lectures at the University of Dundee.

Famously dubbed the “Boyd Wonder” by the film critic, Alexander Walker, for his attempt to reinvigorate British cinema in the late-1970s, Don Boyd is responsible for producing some of British cinema’s most important independent films, including Alan Clarke’s Scum, Julien Temple’s The Great Rock’n’Roll Swindle and Derek Jarman’s The Tempest and War Requiem.

“Don Boyd has had one of the most remarkable careers in British film, producing constantly challenging and important work,” said Dr Brian Hoyle, from the English and Film Programme at the University. “We are delighted to have him here to talk about his career and discuss excerpts from his films. This event will give staff, students and members of the public a rare and valuable insight into the process of making a film.”

In his 1987 portmanteau film, Aria, Boyd brought together directorial talents as diverse as Jarman, Temple, Ken Russell, Robert Altman and Jean-Luc Godard. Don Boyd has also maintained a parallel career as a director and has worked with actors such as John Hurt, Lynne Redgrave and Richard Harris, who gave his last great performance as the aging gangster in Boyd’s My Kingdom, an extraordinary modern reworking of King Lear.

He has also directed several notable documentaries and now curates the media and culture website Hi-Brow.

The AHRI Lecture with Don Boyd takes place at 6pm on Wednesday 3rd December in the D’Arcy Thompson Lecture Theatre, Tower Building, University of Dundee. The event will be preceded by a drinks reception from 5pm. All are welcome and admission is free.

Roddy Isles
Head of Press
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