Film / News
Stephen Frears becomes patron of Bristol-based Film Noir UK
Just a couple of weeks after he visited Bristol as a guest of Film Noir UK for screenings of his films The Grifters (1990), The Hit (1984), and the British classic noir The Third Man (1949), Oscar-nominated director Stephen Frears has become one of the first two patrons of the organisation.
Stephen Frears
“There was a lot of talking about film noir (and films in general) when Stephen was with us over that weekend at Watershed. In fact, we began to realise that we shared the same kind of opinions when it came to film noir directors and stars. So we were really thrilled that Stephen said yes when we asked if he would be one of our patrons,” says founder and co-director James Harrison. “Of course, ideas started flying around about future screenings… so watch this space.”
Eden Endfield at the Watershed in April
Stephen Frears isn’t the only new Film Noir UK patron, however. He’s joined by Eden Endfield, daughter of American film director Cy Endfield. Probably best known as the director of Zulu (1964), Cy Endfield cut his teeth in Hollywood making a selection of noirs before being blacklisted. He left for the UK in the early 1950s and made a number of British noirs including cult classic Hell Drivers (1957).
“We’re hoping to screen Hell Drivers sometime next year with Eden as our guest once again,” James continues. “Eden joined us at Watershed back in April for a screening of one her dad’s early Hollywood noirs, Try and Get Me! (1950), and she is very much that connection between us and those past masters of classic film noir.”
Film Noir UK concludes 2023 with a festive Christmas film noir screening in the shape of Beware, My Lovely (1952), which stars Ida Lupino and Robert Ryan and is directed by Harry Horner (father of future Oscar winning film composer James Horner), on Thursday 21 December at the Watershed. Go here for tickets.
Main pic: Stephen Frears at the Watershed last month. All images: Film Noir UK
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