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Liverpool film maker
honoured by Edge Hill University
A Liverpool born director described as
1 of Britain's greatest living film-makers was made an Honorary Doctor of
Literature at Edge Hill University.
Terence Davies, who is a Fellow of the British Film Institute and whose films
have been nominated for awards at all the major international film festivals,
was presented with his latest accolade by Edge Hill's Chancellor Professor Tanya
Byron.
Quoting poet Emily Dickinson, Terrence gave some words of advice to Edge Hill's graduands in the faculty of Arts and Science this afternoon.
"For each
ecstatic instant, we must an anguish pay in keen and quivering ratio to the
ecstasy. This means for every minute on the red carpet, think 10 years of hard
work. For 1 rapturous review you can get 10 that are really vicious.
From the moment you begin with an idea and sit down with a pad and a pen to the
end of the film, when it's in its final form, is 1 of the most gruelling, one
of the least satisfying things that you can go through. But you get to the end,
you see the show print and you think:- 'This is what real joy is...' Would I do
anything else? 'You bet I wouldn't.'"
Terrence's 1st 3 films (2 of which he wrote and directed while still studying
at Coventry School of Drama and the National Film School), Children, Madonna and
Child and Death and Transfiguration comprise The Terence Davies Trilogy, which
put him on the cinematic map as one of the most original British film makers of
the late 20th century.
In the Trilogy and the 2 films that followed, Distant Voices, Still Lives (1988)
and The Long Day Closes (1992), Davies cinematically recreates his childhood and
youth in the Liverpool of the 1940s and 50s.
The House of Mirth (2000) marked Davies' furthest departure from his childhood
obsessions. Based on a novel by Edith Wharton set in America at the beginning of
20th century, the main theme explores the struggle of an individual with a
culture.
The film Of Time and The City, from 2007/08 and produced by Liverpool's
Hurricane Films, reflected Davies's growing up in Liverpool in the 1950s and
1960s, using newsreel and documentary footage supplemented by his own commentary
voiceover and contemporaneous and classical music soundtracks. Of Time and The
City was unveiled at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival to great critical acclaim.
Terrence added:- "There are 2 things that are important to us, not just
people in the arts, but to us all. The 1st is passion. Never lose your passion.
But more importantly, never lose your sense of humour. As soon as you start
taking yourself and the world seriously, that the shortest route to disaster. I
speak from bitter experience." |
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Aintree hosts 1st ever
disabled riding session for local kids
AINTREE Racecourse, working in
partnership with Everton in the Community and Riding for Disabled (RDA), has
today hosted its 1st ever disabled riding session as part of the newly formed
Aintree Community Programme. Over 20 children from the local area and Everton in
the Community's Disability Programme were invited, with their parents, to enjoy
a packed day at Aintree Racecourse. The children, some of whom have autism or
learning disabilities, were given the opportunity to try riding for the 1st
time, learn how to groom and look after a horse, enter the famous Weighing Room
and dress up in jockey's silks, enjoy panoramic views of Aintree at the top of
the Sefton Stand, and learn more about the world renowned Crabbie's Grand
National.
Grant Rowley, Regional Communications Manager
for Jockey Club Racecourses, said:- "We're delighted to have launched our
first disabled riding session at Aintree as part of the Aintree Community
Programme. Today was a fantastic day and by working with our partners, Everton
in the Community and the RDA, we hope to provide many more sessions in the
months and years for local people. Our relationship with the community is very
important to us and we can't wait to provide more opportunities to kids and
adults at the home of the Grand National."
Beechley Stables, based in Allerton and who are part of the RDA provided the
expertise required to undertake the session. British Horseracing Education and
Standards Trust (BHEST) provided tuition on the day as part of the Racing
Together programme of which Aintree has been selected as the Beacon Racecourse
out of 59 racecourses around the UK. Racing Together is an industry wide project
aimed at coordinating and communicating British Racing's community outreach and
making a real difference to local children. Everton FC's official charity,
Everton in the Community, is one of the UK's top sporting charities and has
joined forces with Aintree for this, and a number of other community projects.
Steve Johnson, Disability Development Manager for Everton in the Community,
said:- "Today has been a great success and it was clear to see by the
massive smiles on the faces of these children and their parents just how much
they have enjoyed this session and their behind the scenes tour of Aintree
Racecourse." |
