26/02/2014 - Renowned British filmmaker latest great chosen for prestigious event

Highly regarded British director Paul Greengrass will deliver the annual David Lean Lecture at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) headquarters in London on March 18. The Lecture aims to educate, inform and inspire practitioners and the public by providing insight into the experiences of some of the world’s best filmmakers. Previous speakers include Robert Altman, John Boorman, Oliver Stone, David Lynch and Pedro Almodóvar.

Greengrass has enjoyed a distinguished career that spans nearly thirty years. Originally known for his television films concerned with social and political issues, over the last decade Greengrass has directed a series of commercially and critically acclaimed feature films including United 93, for which he won the BAFTA David Lean Award for Direction, Green Zone and The Bourne Ultimatum. His most recent film, Captain Phillips, is nominated for nine BAFTAs this year (news), including Best Director, and six Oscars (news).

Nik Powell, Chair of the BAFTA Film Committee, said, “Paul Greengrass is one of the UK’s greatest contemporary directors. His fearless approach to filmmaking has led to him creating some truly memorable features for both film and television. His often gritty and realistic productions create suspense with seemingly effortless ease. We are honoured to have such a remarkable filmmaker present the latest BAFTA David Lean Lecture.”

The David Lean Lecture carries on the legacy of the legendary director David Lean, one of the founders of the British Film Academy (as the BAFTA was then known) in 1947. The David Lean Foundation funds the Lecture.