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Ken Russell Forever

A season devoted to the iconic director

by Veronica LeeFriday, 9 March 2012

Ken Russell, who died last year, has a season devoted to him in the Scala Forever network

Ken Russell fans within reach of the capital will have a surfeit of goodies from tomorrow as London films clubs in the Scala Forever network open a tribute season devoted to the iconic British film director, who died last November.

The season not only pays due homage to him, but marks the BFI DVD release of The Devils (starring Vanessa Redgrave, pictured below), perhaps Russell's most controversial film, by a director who enjoyed geeing up the establishment and was forever kicking against the pricks. It's the film's first UK DVD release, which is available from 19 March, while the director's cut will be screened at the BFI Southbank on the same date.

Also showing in the 11-day season are Tommy (12 March), Women in Love (15 March) and Lisztomania (17 March), and the closing-night screening is Elgar and “other Russell treats” from the extensive documentary strand of his career.

Scala Forever (scalaforever.co.uk) is a network of film clubs, independent cinemas, pop-up venues and film magazines. Among the many particpants in the Ken Russell season are BFI, Electric Sheep Magazine, Cigarette Burns Cinema, Club des Femmes and Picturehouse Cinemas.

Ken Russell Forever is at various venues in the Scala Forever network in London, 10-20 March. www.kenrussellforever.co.uk

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