File 2 - Alan Parker

1 audio cassette tape, 1 WAV file (619.1 MB)

Audio recording of an interview with film director Alan Parker in front of a live audience undertaken as part of the Guardian sponsored National Film Theatre Guardian interview series.

The recording begins with Andrew Wooton of the National Film Theatre introducing a screening of Parker's most recent film Angela's Ashes. Host Barry Norman then proceeds to put questions to Parker. The recording comprises a question and answer session with members of the audience from 42.02.

A summary of key topics is included below.

00.00 Introductions
05.00 Discusses becoming involved in Angela’s Ashes
07.15 Adapting the book into a film
11.54 Casting: lead actors; involvement of Irish actors; different actors playing the same character at different ages; child actors
20.05 Making the film: rain, sets
203.32 Reaction of people from Limerick, including the Church
27.49 Involvement with the BFI and Film Council, views on the British film insustry
39.34 Movement between different genres
42.02 Views on poverty today
44.22 Views on the British film industry
49.12 French film
50.55 Working with young actors
52.51 Difficulties of breaking into scriptwriting
55.53 Memorable moments from making Angela’s Ashes.

Films mentioned in the course of the interview include: Angela's Ashes, Bugsey Malone; Midnight Express; Mississippi Burning and Shoot the Moon.

Creator: British Film Institute (BFI), 1933-

Creator: Guardian News & Media Ltd, 1967-

Access to recording via GNM Digital Repository