Derek Jarman

Date of Birth: January 31, 1942

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: February 19, 1994

Biography

Derek Jarman was a trailblazing British film director, stage designer, diarist, and artist, renowned for his avant-garde approach to cinema and his bold, often controversial works. Born on January 31, 1942, in Northwood, Middlesex, England, Jarman initially studied at the Slade School of Fine Art, where he honed his skills in painting and set design. Jarman’s career in film began with his work as a production designer on Ken Russell’s film “The Devils” (1971). He made his directorial debut with “Sebastiane” (1976), a groundbreaking film that featured dialogue entirely in Latin and depicted the story of Saint Sebastian. Jarman’s filmography includes critically acclaimed works such as “Jubilee” (1978), “The Tempest” (1979), “Caravaggio” (1986), “The Last of England” (1987), “Edward II” (1991), and “Blue” (1993). Openly gay, Jarman was an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and HIV/AIDS awareness, and his personal experiences heavily influenced his work. He was diagnosed with HIV in 1986 and continued to create art and films that challenged societal norms until his death on February 19, 1994.

5 Interesting Facts about Derek Jarman

1. Derek Jarman was a passionate gardener and created the renowned garden at Prospect Cottage, his home in Dungeness, Kent.

2. Jarman’s film “Blue” (1993) features a single static shot of the color blue with an audio track of his reflections on life, love, and his battle with AIDS.

3. He was one of the first public figures in the UK to openly discuss his HIV-positive status.

4. In addition to his film career, Jarman published several books, including “Modern Nature” (1991) and “Chroma” (1994).

5. Jarman’s set designs for Ken Russell’s films, including “The Devils,” are still celebrated for their bold and imaginative style.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Derek Jarman

1. “Understand that sexuality is as wide as the sea. Understand that your morality is not law.”

2. “All men are homosexual, some turn straight. It must be very odd to be a straight man because your sexuality is hopelessly defensive. It’s like an ideal of racial purity.”

3. “I’m a political filmmaker, which means everything I do is political.”

4. “To be an artist is to believe in life.”

5. “I think we have to regard the artist as a seer, not just a producer of things.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Derek Jarman’s highest net worth is not well-documented, but he was not known for achieving significant financial wealth; his legacy lies more in his cultural impact and artistic contributions.