SHAKESPEARE LIVES

DEREK JARMAN: THE TEMPEST

IN COLLABORATION WITH THE BRITISH COUNCIL & THE BRITISH EMBASSY

The Tempest (1979) by Derek Jarman
Length: 92 minutes

Broadcast with Greek subtitles

This version of Shakespeare’s last play by Derek Jarman brings to the big screen a suggestive story of revenge, punishment and reconciliation.
Prospero (Heathcote Williams), former Duke of Milan, and his daughter, Miranda, (Toyah Willcox), have been deserted on a remote island by the former’s bad brother, Duke Antonio (Richard Warwick), with the help of the King of Naples, Alonso (Peter Bull). Twelve years later, Prospero has grown into a powerful sorcerer. He can control the natural elements and so he raises a tempest and makes Antonio’s ship wreck near the mysterious island, in an effort to try and convince one of the travellers, Prince Ferdinand of Naples (David Meyer), son of Alonso, to marry his daughter and restore peace between Milan and Naples.
Jarman brings an air of punk sensitivity in this production, where the wild visual elements and the wealth of drawings and graphics easily hide the meagre budget of the film.

There are nude scenes in the film.

The film The Tempest will be presented by the President of the Department of Film Studies at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Ms. Despoina Mouzaki.