The director who fell to Earth

He coaxed the "Performance" of a lifetime out of Mick Jagger, capturing the psychedelic trip of an entire era in a single, hun- gover movie. He cast David Bowie as the alien in "The Man Who Fell to Earth", delivering one of the best fantasy films of all time. He filmed Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie in one of the most unforgettable sex scenes in the history of cinema in "Don’t Look Now". He transformed the Australian desert into a magical landscape, straight from a dream, in "Walkabout". He introduced Theresa Russell to the world as one of the steamiest leading ladies of the 80s, despite her "Bad Timing". Yet his trajectory behind the cameras was lonely, with big studios casting a hostile eye on his innovative filmmaking, while conserva- tive critics were incapable of acknowledging the depth of his talent in his lifetime. Light years ahead of its time, his oeuvre remains timeless and modern, a charming riddle that, over time, has been cherished by critics and has infiltrated "best of lists" at well-respected print and web publications, gaining new followers every day. Nicolas Roeg is one of those directors whose films have to be seen to be believed, and they definitely require a big screen to fully appreciate their otherworldly beauty. Which is exactly why the 21st Athens International Film Festival has decided to pay tribute to the eccentric Englishman, presenting most of his films in fully restored prints, like they deserve!

Loukas Katsikas

Selected Filmography
1970 Performance
1971 Walkabout
1973 Don't Look Now
1976 The Man Who Fell to Earth
1980 Bad Timing
1983 Eureka