Acclaimed auteur Martin Scorsese will narrate a brand new feature documentary on prolific and influential British filmmaking duo, Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, who were responsible for such classics as Black Narcissus, A Matter of Life and Death and The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp.
BAFTA and Emmy winning David Hinton will direct the yet to be titled film for which Altitude will handle international sales and oversee the UK and Ireland release.
The film is produced by Nick Varley for Ten Thousand 86 and Matt Wells for Ice Cream Films. Martin Scorsese will executive produce.
The film is financed by BBC Film, and the National Lottery and Scottish Government through Screen Scotland. Executive Producers for the BBC are Rose Garnett and Mark Bell, Mark Thomas will executive produce for Screen Scotland. Will Clarke will executive produce for Altitude.
The Altitude press release notes how “Scorsese will take the audience on a very personal journey as we hear how, from a young age he was captivated by their films, how they helped shape his own filmmaking and how a later friendship with Michael Powell left an indelible mark on his own life.”
“Brought to life with a treasure trove of rare archival material from the personal collections of Powell, Pressburger and Scorsese the story will be told using diaries, audio recordings, home movies, personal snapshots and of course the films themselves,” the release continues.
Martin Scorsese comments: “I still find it extraordinary that I knew Michael Powell personally for sixteen years – and, throughout that time, he was not only a support, but a guide, pushing me along, giving me confidence, keeping me bold in my own work. I’ve seen the films that he made with Emeric over and over again but the experience of excitement and mystery that I get from them doesn’t just remain, it deepens. I don’t know how it happens but for me, their body of work is a wondrous presence, a constant source of energy, and a reminder of what life and art are all about.”
Director David Hinton adds: “There’s no British films that I admire more than those of Powell and Pressburger, and working with Michael Powell in the 1980’s was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my professional life. On top of that, there’s no living filmmaker that I admire more than Martin Scorsese, and no-one speaks about Powell and Pressburger with more passion, conviction and insight. When you put that together with all the magical archive material that we’ve found, you can see why this is a dream project for me.”
Producer Nick Varley adds: “It is an immense privilege to be working with such a creative and knowledgeable team to bring this incredibly important story to the screen. Having the most passionate of all advocates, Martin Scorsese, as our storyteller not only adds gravitas but will also give audiences an insight into Powell and Pressburger that is both enlightening and personal. We are fortunate in David to have a filmmaker who is both an expert on his subject as well as having been personally associated with Michael Powell for a number of years.”
Producer Matt Wells comments: “It’s an honour to present on screen the deeply personal connection between Martin Scorsese and the films of Powell and Pressburger. In David Hinton we have an enormously talented director, and of course Scorsese is among cinema’s great storytellers – together they are accomplishing something remarkable.”
