This morning, industry veteran and CEO of the British Film Commission Adrian Wooten OBE gave an impassioned masterclass titled ‘David Bowie in the Movies’. Exploring the international superstar’s film and television career spanning from 1967 to 2016, the talk provided the audience with a look into an important part of Bowie’s life often discussed second to his incredibly discography.
Starting with his short film The Image in 1969, Wooten took the audience on a journey through Bowie’s film and television credits and how his passion for the craft could be seen across many facets of his life.
He touched upon the 1976 film The Man who Fell to Earth – which is screening for the public during the Mediterrane Film Festival programme, the 1978 German film Just a Gigolo and his renowned Broadway performance of “The Elephant Man” from 1980-1981. The BBC’s Baal directed by Alan Clarke was a pivotal point in Bowie’s career, with the subsequent album leading to a brand new record deal for the artist.
Wooten shared archival footage and images of Bowie’s work with the audience, including one of the star’s best performances in the 1983 feature Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence, British movie musical Absolute Beginners and children’s fantasy epic Labyrinth.
The session wrapped with a look towards the end of Bowie’s career and life, and the iconic cameos in award-winning films such as Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige and the hit British comedy series Extras. Clear from the presentation, his film and television career was something Bowie took incredibly seriously, informing his creativity and his other works massively, creating a new element to his artistry and also giving back to his audiences.