Derek Jarman's THE GARDEN, starring Tilda Swinton, returns to Berlinale 28 years after its premiere

(James Mackay and Annie Symons, © Lindsay Bellinger 2019)

By LINDSAY R. BELLINGER

The Garden, Derek Jarman's visual narrative film from 1990, starring Tilda Swinton as the Madonna, returned to the Delphi Filmpalast where it had its glorious German premiere at the 41st Berlin International Film Festival. This time it was a restored copy of Jarman's film about the biblical garden where his version of the Passion of Christ blends lighter moments, even with some musical song and dance, with horrific elements and early-on even some moments of hope. His film is still quite relevant almost three decades after it was made, as the church still has a role in persecuting homosexuals which historically has been quite vicious. 

(© Liam Daniel - BasiliskCommunications - EditionSalzgeber) 

After the screening, there was a short Q&A with the film's producer James Mackay and costume designer Annie Symons. They both shared fond memories of working with their friend Derek Jarman and when asked about the main shooting location, Dungeness in Kent, England Mackay said that Jarman chose that location mainly for how isolated it was. Symons added that the lighting also was a big factor because Jarman was always very aware and what lighting he needed and at which specific time of the day it would best suit his work. Mackay noted that the bed in the water scene was shot during a specific hour that Jarman perfectly chose in order to set the right tone for his work. It was interesting to hear that Symons stated that Jarman was a true artist and his set often felt very theatrical, which is evident when viewing this work. Mackay also sent regards from Tilda Swinton who wanted to come to tonight's screening but was tied up filming with Wes Anderson. Fear not, Berlinale attendees because we will all get our Tilda Swinton fix when she arrives on Monday to help support Joanna Hogg's film The Souvenir, which recently premiered to rave reviews at Sundance. 

Friday, 8 Feb // 21:30 // Delphi Filmpalast

Friday, 15 Feb // 11:00 // CineStar 8 

Sunday, 17 Feb // 17:00 Werkstattkino @ Silent Green