Savage Messiah

I took this picture of the film director Ken Russell in the lobby of the Queen's Film Theatre just before the launch of a retrospective of his films last night. That season of films includes a rare screening of Ken Russell's personal copy of The Devils.

Ken is standing in front of an original poster for his film Savage Messiah. During our conversation, we talked about Ken's BBC days, working with Hew Weldon on Monitor, his break into cinema, and the themes and values that colour his films. He talked about the Catholicism that informs and infuses his work, his sense of the spiritual, and the ultimately "puritanical" approach to sex and sexuality evidenced in his films.

Ken recently made a 20-minute short, Boudica Bites Back, which was screened last night, starring his wife Elize.

This was his first visit to Belfast, but I hope it won't be his last. I suggested that he might make a short film in the city, at this key stage in our history. In fact, the liminality of our current historical moment could be a fascinating area of exploration for a filmmaker renowned for engaging with liminal states and spaces. Ken and Elize loved the idea. Watch this space.