The BFI has announced that a major celebration of Terence Davies, titled Love. Sex. Religion. Death. The Complete Films of Terence Davies, will run at BFI Southbank from 20 October-30 November.
Programmed by BFI chief executive Ben Roberts, the season will provide a comprehensive journey through Davies’ body of work, alongside a free exhibition curated by Edge Hill University from 1-30 November and a special subscription collection streaming on BFI Player from 6 October.
The recently discovered short film Boogie will also screen for the first time since being found among personal items donated from Davies’ estate to Edge Hill, which holds and cares for the Terence Davies Archive, while the celebration will be enjoyed UK-wide with the theatrical re-release and BFI Blu-ray release of one of Davies’ most acclaimed features, The House of Mirth–newly remastered by the BFI.
Speaking of the programme, Roberts said: “Terence Davies was a uniquely uncompromising independent filmmaker and a true hero of mine. It was an honour to know him, to support his work during his lifetime and to continue championing his legacy now with this UK-wide celebration.
“A major figure of British cinema and an inspiration to independent filmmakers at every level, his work consistently speaks to the universal nature of the human experience while always remaining deeply personal.
“I am thrilled we have the chance to share his films with BFI audiences in cinemas and on BFI Player.”
A session titled Remembering Terence Davies will take place at BFI Southbank on 28 October, when close collaborators and special guests who knew the filmmaker best will share memories and stories of working with him.
Hosted by Mark Kermode in NFT1, the event has been described as “a perfect window into the director for both lifelong fans and those new to his work”.
Meanwhile, the free exhibition curated by Edge Hill University will display previously unseen materials from Davies’ personal archive and the archive of production company Hurricane Films to offer an insight into the rich history and creative talent of the Liverpool-born filmmaker.
The exhibition will include materials from both Davies’ personal life and film career, including family letters and belongings, behind-the-scenes photos, props and handwritten draft scripts.
Full programme information for Love. Sex. Religion. Death. The Complete Films of Terence Davies is available on the BFI website.
