Toasting director Jill's success

11:09am Thursday 22nd April 2004

A Tribute to Jill Craigie
Phoenix Cinema
High Road, East Finchley
Sunday, April 25, 2pm

Jill Craigie is often considered one of the first women directors to have succeeded in the British film industry, making original and insightful films, toying with and examining the zeitgeist.

Michael Foot, her husband, and former leader of the Labour Party, will present this tribute to her life, including three of Craigie's rarely-seen films and a discussion.

Craigie, who lived in Hampstead and died in 1999, made most of her films between 1943 and 1951, including Out of Chaos and The Way We Live, which will be shown on the day.

Out of Chaos (U) is a short film, shot at the height of the Second World War, which explores why unprecedented numbers were turning to art. Artists like Henry Moore, Graham Sutherland and Paul Nash provide the answers.

The Way We Live explores the reconstruction of postwar Plymouth, mixing fiction with fact.

The final film is Two Hours from London, which was released in 1995.

Craigie gave up film-making in the 50s, frustrated by sexism, but events in the former Yugoslavia inspired her to return to work. The movie is a passionate attack on the failure of Europe to prevent civil war in the region, and is deeply influenced by her love for the Croatian town Dubrovnik.

A discussion will be held afterwards and Michael Foot will be answering questions. Tickets cost £10, £8 for concessions. For more information call the box office on 020 8444 6789.

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