Terence Davies.Photo:Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for BFI
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for BFI
British screenwriter and film director Terence Davies has died. He was 77.
Davies, who directed movies includingDistant Voices, Still Lives(1988),The House of Mirth(2000) andThe Deep Blue Sea(2011), died at his home following a brief illness, astatementposted on his social media announced on Saturday.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Terence Davies, who died peacefully at home after a short illness, today on 7th October 2023,” the statement read.
Quotes were then shared in memory of the late filmmaker. “Pulvis et Umbra Sumus ‘We are but dust and shadows’ (Horace),” the message continued. “ ‘And if thou wilt, remember, and if thou wilt, forget.’ (Christina Rossetti) Terence Davies (1945 - 2023).”
British director Davies died after a short illness on Oct. 7.Carlos Alvarez/Getty
Carlos Alvarez/Getty
Released in 1976,Childrenis described in the BFI article as having offered an autobiographical look into Davies’ life growing up with guilt as a young gay man in Catholic school and dealing with his abusive, ill father and set the tone for the projects that later came for the BAFTA-nominated filmmaker.
Davies combined his early autobiographical titlesMadonna and Child(1980) andDeath and Transfiguration(1983), withChildren, to form a trilogy. He went on to make successful featuresDistant Voices, Still Lives(1988), and classic novel adaptations,The House of Mirth(2000), starringLaura LinneyandGillian Anderson— which earned him aBAFTA nominationfor the Alexander Korda Award for Best British Film, though he missed out toBilly Elliot— andThe Deep Blue Sea(2011), starringTom Hiddleston.
Davies was well-known for his autobiographical films.Dave J Hogan/Getty Images for BFI
Dave J Hogan/Getty Images for BFI
The filmmaker received awards and recognition throughout his career. His last movies to receive awards attention wereA Quiet Passion(2016), which told the story of poet Emily Dickinson (Cynthia Nixon). It was nominated for a variety of awards and won three, including Best Non-U.S. Release at the Online Film Critics Society Awards in 2017.
Davis' biopicBenediction(2021), about gay British poet and WWI veteran Siegfried Sassoon, was nominated for a British Independent Film Award in 2021.
The director spoke about the internal conflict he experienced growing up as a gay Catholic man, including in one of his final interviews in 2021.
Cynthia Nixon starred in Davies' film ‘A Quiet Passion’ (2016).Mike Pont/WireImage
Mike Pont/WireImage
“I didn’t talk myself out of it, I was very fervid. From 15 to 22, there were grave doubts,” Davies told theThe Irish Timesin 2021. “I’ve fought tooth and nail because I was taught: This is the devil’s work. And I prayed on one occasion until my knees bled. When I was becoming aware of being gay, it was a criminal offense in this country.”
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The filmmaker added, “It has left a lot of damage. I’m still full of dos and don’ts.”
During the interview, the director was reflective about his own work, as he addressed comparisons he made between himself and other filmmakers and noted that he is “astounded” that there is an audience who goes to see his films.
“I look at someone else’s film, and I immediately feel that my films are inferior,” he told the outlet. “I’m conscious of their faults. I think: should have done that. No, that shot was a little too wide. I haven’t made vast amounts of money, the box office. I’m always astounded to get any audience. Because I’ve been to places where, you know, three people have turned up.”
In 2022,Davies toldThe Guardianthat he had “lived alone since 1980” and spoke in depth about his life and work, including praising his own movieBenediction.“I’m very proud of it, I have to say. I think it’s the best thing I’ve done. Glorious from beginning to end,” he told the outlet, prompting surprise from his manager, who noted it was “the first time Terence has said anything nice about his own films.”
During the conversation, Davies discussed his “path” and described it as “a hard path to travel but I’ve got to be truthful to it.”
“I think I’ve achieved what I set out to do,” he toldThe Guardian.
Representatives for Davies did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for additional comment.
source: people.com
