Screen Talk: Sam Taylor-Wood

Sam Taylor-Wood has made what appears to be a natural and seamless progression from established artist to feature film directorial debut. So I was eager and intrigued to hear what the woman herself had to say about her career to date.

Throughout the conversation it was clear to see that Taylor-Wood’s art works, are influced by the processes of film. Taylor-Wood highlighted that for Still Life (2001) and A Little Death (2002) though they were film sped up, her intention was to frame the films in order to create the feeling of a painting being brought to life. From examples such as these it seems that it would only be a matter of time before Taylor-Wood turned her attention to directing.

At this years Birdseye View festival I sat down to watch the short Love You More (2008), produced by Taylor-Wood herself and the late Anthony Minghella. I thoroughly enjoyed the simple idea which was carried beautifully by such great performances from the two main protagonists. Taylor-Wood pointed out that the success of Love You More and the feeling she had on set of desperately wanting to turn it into a feature film, was the driving force behind her highly anticipated feature film Nowhere Boy (2009) .

When asked about Nowhere Boy it’s clear to see that Taylor-Wood will be directing again. Her eyes light up as she describes the long hours and amazing atmosphere on set with an obvious passion, she only reniforces this by saying that filmaking is now in her blood. Nowhere Boy is closing the BFI Film Festival and it’s also the films UK premiere. Genral release is 25th December and I cannot wait to see it.

Clips and trailers are showing off what appears to be another fantasic cast, with newcomer Aron Johnson playing John Lennon before he became the icon and vital member of super band The Beatles. Taylor-Wood also stated that she was very pleased that the “B” word isn’t metioned throughout the whole of the film. Nowhere Boy is very much about the life of John Lennon as a boy growing up, discovering music up until the death of his mother. From what I have seen and heard so far its only going to create a solid foundation for Sam Taylor-Wood to make many many more films for our viewing pleasure.

By Terri