Queen Mary University of London
Mile End Rd, London E1 4NS
UK
As populations live longer, and continue professional activity well into the 70s and 80s, so elderly film stars are more and more visible in our culture. But the stakes for them are particularly high. Visual media is unforgiving in exposing the flaws and frailties of the ageing body, and the image of the older star is always and inevitably held in tension with that of their more youthful incarnation. Greta Garbo famously withdrew from public life, preferring ‘to be alone’ rather than be exposed as anything less than a perfect and timeless screen goddess.
However, many stars have embraced the opportunities and advantages of their maturity to produce compelling performances, to change artistic direction, or to be at the helm of films that raise questions about longevity, endurance, and resilience in the face of physical alteration. Our event aims, through illustrated talks and convivial discussion, to share reflection on older film stars who have blossomed and thrived professionally, or taken performance risks that are at odds with a ‘quiet retirement’. We want to celebrate the work, presence and pleasures of watching those who have allowed themselves to be scrutinised as elderly and have taken on roles that explicitly engage with issues relevant to an older generation. Stars we will focus on in our presentations include Bette Davis and Lillian Gish; Tom Courtenay and Charlotte Rampling; Catherine Deneuve and Gérard Depardieu; Emmanuelle Riva and Jean-Louis Trintignant; James Mason.
Speakers:
Lucy Bolton (Queen Mary University of London, School of Languages, Linguistics and Film)
Charles Drazin (Queen Mary University of London, School of Languages, Linguistics and Film)
Adrian Garvey (Queen Mary University of London, School of Languages, Linguistics and Film)
Fiona Handyside (University of Exeter)
Sue Harris (Queen Mary University of London, School of Languages, Linguistics and Film)
Julie Lobalzo Wright (University of Surrey)