War Requiem
Derek Jarman / GB, 1988 / 92 min.
Derek Jarman emphasises the cruelty of war using newsreel footage from the First World War and the atomic assault on Hiroshima. This dialogue-free collage is based on Wilfred Owen’s poetry and features music by Benjamin Britten as well as Laurence Olivier in his final film role.
Jarman’s film developed on the basis of traumatic memories he had of a military hospital where, as a child, he slept in the same room as World War Two victims. War Requiem‘s story unfolds through the eyes of Old Soldier (Laurence Olivier in his final film role), who starts his story with a verse from Wilfred Owen’s poem 'Strange Meeting'. The director compares Owen’s fate and that of his fellow soldiers during World War One who sacrificed their lives for the pleasures of rich bankers to the martyrdom of Christ.
With Tilda Swinton in the role of nurse.
Pre-film
Prior to War Requiem, you will see Depuis le jour (6’), Derek Jarman’s episode in the British anthology film Aria (1987, 90’), produced by Don Boyd, which consists of ten short opera films by ten different filmmakers. Tilda Swinton hand-picked a short film, either from her rich oeuvre or from Eye’s collection, to precede all feature films.
This is part of
Special screenings
Details
Director
Derek Jarman
Production year
1988
Country
GB
Original title
War Requiem
Length
92 min.
Language
English
Subtitles
NONE
Part of
Tilda Swinton
This autumn, Eye presents Tilda Swinton – Ongoing, an exclusive exhibition dedicated to the celebrated Scottish performer, artist, and fashion icon. This unique and personal exhibition centres on Swinton’s creative collaborations.
Why in Eye
Benjamin Britten, Wilfred Owen and Derek Jarman. The second of Derek’s ‘last film’s. Shot in the disused mental institution in which I did community service when at school.
Tilda Swinton
Actor and Performer
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