| Level | Item |
| Ref No | GUA/9/4/1/4/2/6 |
| Title | Mike Leigh |
| Date | 9 November 1999 |
| Extent | 1 audio cassette tape, 2 WAV files (656.3 MB and 502.8 MB) |
| Creator Name | British Film Institute (BFI), 1933- |
| Guardian News & Media Ltd, 1967- |
| Description | Audio recording of an interview with director Mike Leigh in front of a live audience as part of the Guardian sponsored National Film Theatre Guardian interview series.
The recording begins with an introduction to the event by Adrian Wooton, director of the London Film Festival. This is followed by applause after which host Michael Billington introduces clips showcasing Leighs work, including his recent film Topsy Turvy. Billington then introduces Mike Leigh and proceeds to ask him questions. The recording comprises a question and answer session with members of the audience from 53.12 on track 1.
A summary of the topics discussed is included below.
Track 1:
00.00 Introductions
03.36 Leigh on his desire to make a film about Gilbert and Sullivan
11.59 Compares WS Gilbert to Lewis Carroll and Edward Lear
12.55 Working with historical characters and events
18.24 Discusses a scene depicting a rehearsal in a victorian theatre
19.21 Interest in the historical context
20.39 Whether the film will be successful in areas that are not familiar with Gilbert and Sullivan
24.40 Main interests in making films
27.30 Key themes in Meantime
30.34 Finding actors
32.33 Political themes in his films
36.45 Response to the criticism that Naked is a misogynist film
37.56 How urban life is portrayed in Naked
38.44 Whether his films are character or plot driven
47.35 Likelihood of working in theatre again
53.20 On setting most of his films in the South East of England
56.03 Comparisons to Ken Loach
58.36 Views on Hollywood
1.00.30 Why a scene is missing from Topsy Turvy
Track 2:
0.08 Why a scene is missing from Topsy Turvy (cont.)
0.41 Whether he was helped by the Dolly Cart Opera Company
1.22 The historical accuracy of the depiction of plays in Topsy Turvy
4.02 Use of improvisation in his films
5.47 His favourite films among his own work
6.37 How actors respond to using his method of making films
9.41 Working with designers
11.50 Why there are so few exterior shots in Topsy Turvy
16.32 The starting point of working on an improvised scene
Films mentioned in the course of the interview include: Topsy Turvy; Naked; Secrets and Lies; Meantime; High Hopes; Four Days in July; Life is Sweet and Hard Labour. |
| Access Status | Open |
| Access Conditions | Access to recording via GNM Digital Repository |
| Format | Electronic record |
| Tape recording |