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Roeg's vision of Venice in Don't Look Now
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Film fans have been paying tribute today to Nicolas Roeg, the director behind some of the 20th Century's most iconic films. The man behind Walkabout, Don't Look Now, The Man Who Fell To Earth and Performance (which he co-directed with Donald Cammell), he will be remembered as one of the greatest auteurs Britain has produced.
A CBE and Fellow of the BFI, the London-born director was active in the industry for over six decades, releasing his last documentary, The Film That Buys the Cinema, in 2014. His last fiction film, Puffball, came out in 2007. Alongside directing, he won acclaim for his work as a cinematographer on films including Masque Of The Red Death, Fahrenheit 451, Lawrence Of Arabia and Far From The Madding Crowd. His own films often dealt with themes of death, grief, identity and mysticism.
"His films hypnotised me for years and still continue to intrigue," said Edgar Wright, commenting on his passing, while Carol Morley praised him for the encouragement he gave to others. Issa López described him as "A virtuoso of the unexplained, and of letting us figure out the many, beautifully missing pieces."
Roeg passed away on Friday night, three months after his 90th birthday. He is survived by wife Harriet Harper and six children: Waldo, Nico, Sholto, Luc, Max and Statten.
