Made in England: The Films of Powell & Pressburger
Thelma Schoonmaker, executive producer and film editor, best known for her collaboration over five decades with director Martin Scorsese. Killers of the Flower Moon, The Irishman, The Wolf of Wall Street, Shutter Island among others are part of her film editor portfolio. Photography by @theorchidclay
Legendary director Martin Scorsese lead a documentary journey about the creative friendship between movie director Michael Powell (1905–1990) and writer Emeric Pressburger (1902–1988) that gave birth to rich and distinct pieces in the golden age of British cinema: The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943), ACanterbury Tale (1944), I Know Where I'm Going! (1945), A Matter of Life and Death (1946), Black Narcissus (1947), The Red Shoes (1948), and The Tales of Hoffmann (1951).
The duo played a role on Martin Scorcesse and other contemporary filmmakers careers, was The Red Shoes the movie that inspired him from a young age to become a movie director, and subsequently, a protector of part of their legacy.
Directed by two-time BAFTA and Emmy-winner David Hinton, the film explores Powell and Pressburger's innovative storytelling, sometimes underrated and recognized years later.
Cast & Credits
Director
David Hinton
Producer
Nick Varley, Matt Wells
Cinematographer
Ronan Killeen
Composer
Adrian Johnston
Editor
Margarida Cartaxo; Stuart Davidson
Executive Producer
Martin Scorsese, Olivia Harrison, Thelma Schoonmaker, Will Clark, Charles S. Cohen, Thomas Hoegh, Mark Thomas, Claudia Yousef, Eva Yates
Associate Producer
Jamie Muir
US Distributor
Cohen Media Group / Turner Classic Movies
Cast
Martin Scorsese
Photography by @theorchidclay
The Archers
During the first projects Powell and Pressburger started a film production company named “the Archers” with the iconic archery target logo at the beginning of every movie, this association listed a particular manifesto that reveals the authentic principles and art passion. "For The Archers anytime, this world or the next." was Raymond Massey’s cable reply when was offered to play the part of the Prosecuting Attorney in A Matter of Life and Death.
The Archers Manifesto
- We owe allegiance to nobody except the financial interests which provide our money; and, to them, the sole responsibility of ensuring them a profit, not a loss.
- Every single foot in our films is our own responsibility and nobody else's. We refuse to be guided or coerced by any influence but our own judgment.
- When we start work on a new idea, we must be a year ahead, not only of our competitors, but also of the times. A real film, from idea to universal release, takes a year. Or more.
- No artist believes in escapism. And we secretly believe that no audience does. We have proved, at any rate, that they will pay to see the truth, for other reasons than her nakedness.
- At any time, and particularly at the present, the self-respect of all collaborators, from star to propman, is sustained, or diminished, by the theme and purpose of the film they are working on.
Restored Classics
Now it is possible to enjoy some of Powells and Pressburger restored films thanks to the effort of many individuals and institutions, Martin among them, and to learn about the complex process.
