Derek Jarman

A Biography

2011
Author:

Tony Peake

The definitive biography of Britain’s influential and iconic film director

England’s most controversial filmmaker and director, Derek Jarman’s story stretches from his childhood in postwar Britain and art school days to the making of acclaimed films, including Sebastiane, Jubilee, Caravaggio, and Blue. A chronicle of sexual fear and repression, the devastation of disease, and inimitable courage and grace, this is an honest and brilliant tribute to Jarman’s uncompromising life and art.

That Jarman lived and died on the cutting edge of contemporary culture is central to the thesis of Tony Peake’s monumentally well researched and fittingly respectful biography of this multifaceted personality. Peake . . . is his subject’s perfect biographer.

The Times (London)

England’s most controversial filmmaker and director, Derek Jarman was also a gifted writer, artist, gardener, designer, and an outspoken AIDS and queer rights activist. Jarman’s story stretches from his childhood in postwar Britain to art school days at the Slade School of Art and the making of many acclaimed films, including Sebastiane, Jubilee, Caravaggio, and Blue.

A chronicle of sexual fear and repression, the devastation of disease, and inimitable courage and grace, Derek Jarman: A Biography is an honest and brilliant tribute to the uncompromising life and art of Derek Jarman.

Tony Peake is the author of two novels and also a writer of short stories. He was a friend to Derek Jarman and continues to serve as literary agent for his estate. For more information, visit http://www.tonypeake.com.

That Jarman lived and died on the cutting edge of contemporary culture is central to the thesis of Tony Peake’s monumentally well researched and fittingly respectful biography of this multifaceted personality. Peake . . . is his subject’s perfect biographer.

The Times (London)

Outstanding . . . the thoroughgoing life story that this experimental director and gay rights crusader deserves.

Financial Times

This is a superbly written biography, both evocative and gritty, as much a social history of postwar Britain as a life of an artist.

Irish Independent

He [Derek Jarman] was on the cutting edge of what we refer to as contemporary culture and Tony Peake lets us see a man that so many of us never had a chance to know.

Amos Lassen

Peake’s definitive biography ensures that Derek Jarman’s name and legacy will perpetuate in art and in memory.

Bay Area Reporter

Prologue
1 Family Mythology
2 Beautiful Flowers and How to Grow Them
3 Buried Feelings
4 School House and Manor House
5 Pakistan
6 A Subtle Terror Rules
7 Every Man is a Special Kind of Artist
8 Metroland Student
9 If You’re Anxious for to Shine
10 Meeting Mr Wright
11 The Billboard Promised Land
12 Becoming Derek
13 Father Figures
14 Swinging Decayed
15 This Month in Vogue
16 The Devils
17 Oasis at Bankside
18 Movietown
19 Butler’s Wharf and Beyond
20 Features
21 Jubilee
22 Stormy Weather
23 Montage Years
24 Angelic and Other Conversations
25 The Last of England
26 A Fifth Continent
27 Sod ’Em
28 I Walk in this Garden
29 Blue Prints
30 Do Not Go Gentle
Notes
List of Works
Filmography
Select Bibliography
Acknowledgements
Index