Mike Leigh provides memorable experience

Liverpool Screen School was delighted to welcome award-winning writer and director Mike Leigh for a screening and ‘In Conversation’ event at Redmonds Building.     

A range of staff and students were joined by members of the community for a screening of Mike’s brilliant and controversial 1993 film, 'Naked'.

This was followed by a lively and engaging Q&A session led by Dr Eleanor Yule (pictured top with Mike), who lectures on the School’s Film Studies and Media Production programmes.  The event provided a fitting end to a day in which Mike spent time with Screen School students and delivered a masterclass to first years during their Screenwriting workshop.

Mike has both delighted and provoked audiences for over four decades.  His work is wide ranging – from the zeitgeist in the satirical ‘Abigail’s Party (1977)’ and ‘Nuts in May (1976)’, to his razor sharp studies of British culture: ‘Meantime’ (1983), ‘Four Days in July’ (1984) and ‘Naked’ (1993), to the more recent Oscar nominated stories of female oppression, ‘Secrets and Lies’ (1996) and ‘Vera Drake’ (2004). Using improvisational techniques to create unforgettable characters and performances, his last two film epics, ‘Mr Turner’ (2014) and ‘Peterloo’ (2018) saw Leigh’s work expanding cinematically, showcasing his painterly eye, whilst maintaining the acute observation and originality of his earlier work.  

Professor Rachel McLean, Director of Screen School, said: 

"We are very grateful to Mike Leigh for giving our students the opportunity to gain an insight into the work of such a well-known writer and director. They will benefit greatly from this opportunity."