Peter Weir, director of Master and Commander (2003), The Truman Show (1998) and The Way Back (2010), delivers BAFTA's annual David Lean Lecture in December 2010.
That is so interesting - came to it via looking up something about another Australian, Clive James. Peter Weir was a neighbour for a while when I lived in Australia, when he was a visitor to the beach with his family, often when I was there with my children, our children being around the same age. I remember a quiet, modest, sensitive man - qualities that are evident in this lecture. How I agree with his sentiments about the assault on our senses of too much imagery. I still have enormous love for the silent films of Charlie Chaplin, having been led to his work by my father when I was very young. The humanity of Chaplin is something that is also present in Peter Weir's work. Chaplin's "Modern Times" remains one of my favourite movies, and in many respects, its sentiments, sadly, are not out of place in today's world. At the other end of the scale, his portrayal of the Jewish barber in "The Great Dictator", and the impassioned plea he makes at the end in his first truly sound film, is a marvel to watch. I love Peter Weir's films, too - they are varied in genre, always beautiful to look at, and have wonderful soundtracks. This lecture brought back memories of sunny days in Australia of the eighties … and Peter still looks very much as he did then! Thank you for posting.
Reminds me, need to re-watch Fearless. It's a filmmaking masterclass in and of itself.
Thank you so much for posting. What a wonderful director and an interesting person to listen to.
Master Commander is such a boss movie!
Thanks for posting this! My respect and admiration for Peter Weir is growing. Lots of food for thought here...
That is so interesting - came to it via looking up something about another Australian, Clive James. Peter Weir was a neighbour for a while when I lived in Australia, when he was a visitor to the beach with his family, often when I was there with my children, our children being around the same age. I remember a quiet, modest, sensitive man - qualities that are evident in this lecture. How I agree with his sentiments about the assault on our senses of too much imagery. I still have enormous love for the silent films of Charlie Chaplin, having been led to his work by my father when I was very young. The humanity of Chaplin is something that is also present in Peter Weir's work. Chaplin's "Modern Times" remains one of my favourite movies, and in many respects, its sentiments, sadly, are not out of place in today's world. At the other end of the scale, his portrayal of the Jewish barber in "The Great Dictator", and the impassioned plea he makes at the end in his first truly sound film, is a marvel to watch. I love Peter Weir's films, too - they are varied in genre, always beautiful to look at, and have wonderful soundtracks. This lecture brought back memories of sunny days in Australia of the eighties … and Peter still looks very much as he did then! Thank you for posting.
Completely unafraid of the Hollywood BS Executives @ Paramount. FANTASTIC Australian. The One & only Peter Weir.
Natascha Mcelhone in the audience
it wasn't Omar or lean, it was Freddie young
relax
💜
Beat to Quarters!
Hollum is a Johnah
A good presentation by Peter Weir, but the ART direction of the video is distracting and horrid.