The College wishes to commemorate film maker Michael Powell by naming
after him the recently opened building which houses the Department of
Radio, Film and Television Studies. Powell's work and his connections
with Canterbury make him a particularly relevant and important figure
for the College and the Department.
Powell was one of Canterbury's most famous sons and a legendary film
director. The College wishes to honour his memory and mark his unique
place in the local landscape and world cinema history.
Michael Powell's contribution to British, and world cinema, was
remarkable. His influence can be seen today in the works of top film
directors, such as Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola. The College
is delighted that Powell's widow Thelma Schoonmaker Powell, herself an
Oscar winning film editor, will participate in the naming ceremony and
dedicate the building.
Two years ago, the interest this esteemed filmmaker commands, not
only locally but also nationally and internationally, was highlighted
when Thelma Schoonmaker Powell came to the College. She discussed her
collaboration with Martin Scorsese and the influence of her husband on
one of the world's greatest living film directors. Many of Michael's
friends and associates gathered to celebrate the event. They included
Kathleen Byron, Marius Goring, Noreen Ackland, editor of Powell's serial
killer masterpiece Peeping Tom, and Professor Ian Christie,
probably the world's leading authority on Michael Powell.
Nine years after Powell's death, his work continues to excite
interest and respect. His influence lives on in a generation of
filmmakers who find stimulus for creative, emotive and imaginative
cinema in his ideas and his achievements.
The formal naming ceremony is followed by a presentation by Thelma
Schoonmaker Powell. A one day conference, on the following day, will
include a screening of Powell's A Canterbury Tale. Lady Sheila
Attenborough, the star of the film, will attend both events. The
conference will contextualise the film, by examining Powell's local
roots, consider his comments upon our ever changing world and give an
insight into his working methods.
PROGRAMME:
FRIDAY OCTOBER 15 1999
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7.00 pm - 7.30 pm
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NAMING CEREMONY
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8.00 pm - 10.00 pm
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THELMA SCHOONMAKER POWELL PRESENTATION
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SATURDAY OCTOBER 16 1999
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10.30 am - 11.00 am
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ARRIVAL AND COFFEE
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11.00 am - 11.30 am
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NICK BURTON
Head of Department, Radio, Film & Television Studies at
Canterbury Christ Church University College.
Introduction to conference.
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11.30 am - 12.15 pm
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DR PETER VUJAKOVIC
Principal Lecturer in Geography at Canterbury Christ Church
University College. "People, Place & Landscape" - The cultural
geographies of Powell and Pressburger.
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12.15 pm - 1.00 pm
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PROFESSOR IAN CHRISTIE
Professor of Film, Birkbeck College, University of London
"History is Now and England"
- A Canterbury Tale in its wartime context.
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2.15 pm - 2.45 pm
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PAUL TRITTON
Journalist & Author
Introduction to A Canterbury Tale
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2.45 pm - 4.15 pm
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SCREENING OF A CANTERBURY TALE
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4.20 pm - 5.00 pm
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DISCUSSION SESSION, CLOSE OF THE EVENT.
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Thelma Schoonmaker Powell,
2nd from left, alongside Eddie
McMillan, naming events co-
ordinator and students at the
College in 1996
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MICHAEL POWELL 1905-1990
Michael Powell was born at Howletts near Canterbury, and spent his
childhood at Hoath Farm, Bekesbourne. He was educated at the King's
School. On starting work in the film industry, he observed with
eagerness the creativity, professionalism and craftsmanship needed to
produce a feature film. In 1937 Powell made The Edge of the World,
which led to a fortuitous meeting with Emeric Pressburger. The two
then began what would become one of the most remarkable partnerships in
British cinematic history.
Future productions by their company, The Archers, would carry the
joint credit title: Written, Produced and Directed by Michael Powell and
Emeric Pressburger. Their films The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp
(1 943), A Canterbury Tale (1 944), A Matter of
Life and Death (1 946), Black Narcissus (1 947) and The
Red Shoes (1 948) established their lasting reputation as
imaginative and compelling filmmakers.
In 1960 Powell directed Peeping Tom, which at the time was
unfairly misunderstood and condemned; a judgement that effectively ended
his career.
Rediscovered in the 1970's by a new generation of directors including
Martin Scorsese, Powell moved to America. In 1978, he married Thelma
Schoonmaker, Scorsese's editor, spending the last years of his life as
part of Scorsese's creative team.
Department of Radio, Film and Television
Canterbury Christ Church University College
Tel: 01227 782348 Fax: 01227 782914
www.canterbury.ac.uk
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