EIFF Blog Day 3. The filth and glory of Terence Davies

This morning the usual panic induced coffee fuelled sprint across the city to see press screenings was halted by a phone call from my close friend Ruth who announced that she’s given birth to a beautiful, rather large and highly evolved baby boy who may become Theo if the name sticks. I say highly evolved because he was born clutching a copy of ‘Basic Philosophy for Dummies’ and said ‘Hi mum have you got any biscuits?’. I would have expected no less from a child of Ruth’s. He’s a fellow Gemini and I look forward to taking him to the movies in about seven years to see Great Grandfather Shrek 2 , Toy Story 10 and Even More Incredibles. Welcome to the world Theo.

The other good news of course is both the welcome return of should-already-be-a-national-treasure Terence Davies and his return to form with his latest overdue gem Of Time and the City. I say overdue not because he took too long to give birth to another film (eight years) but because after being lauded as a great film-maker; hailed as a an original and authentic voice in UK cinema, he was promptly and resolutely ignored by the industry.

In person, he is both relieved to have his voice heard again and enraged with frustration at a process geared to thwarting creative spirits whilst nurturing whimsical crowd-pleasing tat. The film is a joy to behold. It’s a film that washes over and through you - hypnotic, mesmerising, angry, witty and life affirming. It sent shivers up my spine and nearly moved me to tears without quite knowing what it was about the scene in particular that was prompting the feeling. It’s been labelled a documentary about the City of Liverpool from Davies point of view as he grew up there but that doesn’t do it any justice. It’s a visual poem constructed from new and archive footage of the city as well as significant historical local and world events that impacted upon his consciousness.

As we see the city grow and evolve through industry and commerce we also hear Davies memories and appraisal of that period through his wonderful throaty, sensual and lyrical voiceover as he comes to terms with his awakening sexuality, his love of cinema and as he wrestles with and discovers his political, religious and moral views. His attitude is shaped not just by the events of his personal life, nor just historical or cultural events (The Korean War, The Beatles, The Coronation) but by the city itself, which is really what this is about, how the environment creates and shapes us without our realising. It's about how we are (or meant to) have a creative and spiritual relationship with our environment, not just the dull, practical and daily grind of it. It doesn’t feel so much a tribute to one mans city but as it seems like any city anywhere it’s more a tribute to the human race at large. It could serve as a time capsule for the future which says ‘look, here’s a nostalgic snapshot of all the wonderful and terrible things we thought, felt and created’.

Half the films power comes not just from the voiceover but from the wonderful soundtrack, a mix of ear searing classical greats, operatic arias and the inevitable pop and rock tunes from their relevant eras (The Hollies, The Beatles etc). What is particularly special about this is whilst the juxtaposition of much heart rending and toe tapping music played over images of war or urban deprivation is in itself a cliché, Davies goes out of the way to avoid the usual punctuation between images and sound. Initially it jars until you realise its deliberate and when you go with it you end up sinking back into your chair and letting it take you over. The producers should release the entire soundscape of the film on CD on its own, just the sound effects, Davies voiceover and the music and I would have it on in the background as I pottered around my house dreaming up my own films. If it was promoted well and became a success, it could perhaps contribute some of the income required for his next project? But Of Time and the City isn’t just a must hear, it’s a must see, not just for Davies fans but for anyone who’s a fan of life in all of its filth and glory.

The film and Davies himself was given an enthusiastic ovation as soon as the credits rolled. Producer and director Don Boyd who helped initiate the project chaired the Q & A session, which was highly enlightening and entertaining. I felt that perhaps some events like this should always come with the live version of a ‘DVD extra’ of the ‘in-person show’ at the end if it’s as revealing and funny as Davies was. He could easily do his own one man rant at the Fringe and he would sell out every show. Here was a man baring his soul to an enraptured and sympathetic audience. He was bitter, angry, self effacing and hilariously funny in his anecdotes and observations.

He also discussed the frustrating trajectory of his career, the difficulties of the film making process and where he might go with it in future. He cited a romantic comedy in the pipeline but more passionately he hopes one day to be putting his magic stamp on a cinematic adaptation of Sunset Song the much loved Scottish novel by Lewis Grassic Gibbon. I can’t think of a more appropriate director for that. He will, if given free reign and enough money make a bona fide classic. Perhaps he should skip the romantic comedy (unless he needs a chuckle first) and go straight for the meaty stuff.

Film site: www.oftimeandthecity.com