Patrick Keiller
Encyclopedia
Patrick Keiller is a British
film-maker
, writer and lecturer.
and studied at the Bartlett School of Architecture
, University College London
. In 1979 he joined the Royal College of Art
's Department of Environmental Media as a postgraduate student. For a time he taught architecture at the University of East London
and fine art at Middlesex University
.
His first film was Stonebridge Park (1981) followed by Norwood (1983), The End (1986), Valtos (1987) and The Clouds (1989). These films are typified by their use of subjective camera and voice-over, a technique that was further refined in his longer films London (1994) and Robinson in Space (1997).
Both London and Robinson in Space are narrated by an unnamed character (voiced by Paul Scofield
) who accompanies his friend, the unseen Robinson, in a series of excursions around London. Robinson is involved with research into the problems of London and, in the later film, England. The films are seen as a critique of the United Kingdom's economic landscape under the Conservative governments of 1979-97.
In 2000, Keiller completed The Dilapidated Dwelling. This film was made for television, but was never broadcast. It features the voice of Tilda Swinton
, and its subject matter is the state of the UK's housing.
Keiller's film Robinson in Ruins
was released in November 2010. It was one of the outcomes of a three-year research project entitled The Future of Landscape and the Moving Image and reprised the Robinson character from London and Robinson in Space. The actress Vanessa Redgrave
assumed the role of narrator.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
film-maker
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
, writer and lecturer.
Biography
Keiller was born in 1950, in BlackpoolBlackpool
Blackpool is a borough, seaside town, and unitary authority area of Lancashire, in North West England. It is situated along England's west coast by the Irish Sea, between the Ribble and Wyre estuaries, northwest of Preston, north of Liverpool, and northwest of Manchester...
and studied at the Bartlett School of Architecture
The Bartlett
The Bartlett is the Faculty of the Built Environment at University College London. University College London created the first chair of architecture in 1841, and the school is named after the original benefactor, Sir Herbert Bartlett.-External links:*...
, University College London
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
. In 1979 he joined the Royal College of Art
Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art is an art school located in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s only wholly postgraduate university of art and design, offering the degrees of Master of Arts , Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy...
's Department of Environmental Media as a postgraduate student. For a time he taught architecture at the University of East London
University of East London
The University of East London is a university located in the London Borough of Newham, East London, England, based at two campuses in Stratford and Docklands areas...
and fine art at Middlesex University
Middlesex University
Middlesex University is a university in north London, England. It is located in the historic county boundaries of Middlesex from which it takes its name. It is one of the post-1992 universities and is a member of Million+ working group...
.
His first film was Stonebridge Park (1981) followed by Norwood (1983), The End (1986), Valtos (1987) and The Clouds (1989). These films are typified by their use of subjective camera and voice-over, a technique that was further refined in his longer films London (1994) and Robinson in Space (1997).
Both London and Robinson in Space are narrated by an unnamed character (voiced by Paul Scofield
Paul Scofield
David Paul Scofield, CH, CBE , better known as Paul Scofield, was an English actor of stage and screen...
) who accompanies his friend, the unseen Robinson, in a series of excursions around London. Robinson is involved with research into the problems of London and, in the later film, England. The films are seen as a critique of the United Kingdom's economic landscape under the Conservative governments of 1979-97.
In 2000, Keiller completed The Dilapidated Dwelling. This film was made for television, but was never broadcast. It features the voice of Tilda Swinton
Tilda Swinton
Katherine Mathilda "Tilda" Swinton is a British actress known for both arthouse and mainstream films. She has appeared in a number of films including The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Burn After Reading, The Beach, We Need to Talk About Kevin and was nominated for a Golden Globe for her...
, and its subject matter is the state of the UK's housing.
Keiller's film Robinson in Ruins
Robinson in Ruins
Robinson in Ruins is a 2010 British documentary film by Patrick Keiller and narrated by Vanessa Redgrave. It is a sequel to Keiller's previous films, London and Robinson in Space .It documents the journey of the fictional titular character around the south of England...
was released in November 2010. It was one of the outcomes of a three-year research project entitled The Future of Landscape and the Moving Image and reprised the Robinson character from London and Robinson in Space. The actress Vanessa Redgrave
Vanessa Redgrave
Vanessa Redgrave, CBE is an English actress of stage, screen and television, as well as a political activist.She rose to prominence in 1961 playing Rosalind in As You Like It with the Royal Shakespeare Company and has since made more than 35 appearances on London's West End and Broadway, winning...
assumed the role of narrator.