An Englishman In New York
The new biop of Quentin 'An Englishman In New York', a title taken from the now famous song by String received it's world premiere on 7th February 2009 at
The Berlin International Film Festival
Image used by permission of James Burstall, (CEO of Leopard Films) and John Hurt.
Englishman in New York premiered at the London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival on 26/27 March 2009.
An Englishman In New York premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York April 22 to 3rd May.
An Englishman In New York had it's British TV premiere on ITV1 on 28th December 2009
DVD was released on Amazon at the end of December 2009.
Read a review by his friend Dylan Mitchell
Read a review by the British Film Institute
Read a review by Slant Magazine
Read a review by the Hollywood Reporter
Read a review by Variety
Read a review by Reuters
The film written by Brian Fillis takes up where The Naked Civil Servant left off and takes us through his move to New York and his subsequent years there.
You can find out about the full cast and crew at The Internet Movie Database entry,
The cast includes Cynthia Nixon (of Sex And The City), who is playing Quentin's long time friend, cabaret entertainer Penny Arcade.
You can also see some wonderful photos of John in full costume at The Quentin Crisp Archives
Watch Sting's video of An Englishman In New York featuring Quentin Crisp.
An Englishman in New York is only 75 minutes long. But the DVD has some splendid extra features (John Hurt talks about why he decided to star in the film, plus there's a wonderful feature about the many challenges of making New York appear as it did during the years Quentin Crisp lived and performed there).
For example, apart from an extra window or two (plus a private bathroom) - Quentin's room looks exactly as it did in real life: rather cluttered and dusty. In addition, the humiliating scene where Quentin tries to help Patrick Angus find a gallery to show his "nasty" paintings - is very true to life. The gallery owner was not very kind. Yet Quentin persisted, and a suitable gallery was eventually found.
Given that the artist died young (from complications due to AIDS), I was very moved by everything Quentin had done to help his dying friend: Especially given all the harsh criticism he received after he once stated that AIDS was a fad.
But actions speak louder than words: Mr. Crisp quietly donated thousands of dollars to an organization dedicated to AIDS research. I think that was his way of offering a retraction. He remained a true original untl the end.
John Hurt 's performance is remarkable: The voice, timing (and even how Quentin walked) are all spot on. In fact, there are one or two unguarded moments where we get to see an emotionally naked Quentin Crisp. Hurt's acting is heartbreaking. Yet he also manages to capture all the great wit and joy for life that Quentin was famous for.
My only criticism of the film is that I wish it might have been a bit longer. Quentin lived in New York for two decades. Both the city (and the man) went through several changes. At the end of the film, one gets the feeling that Quentin knew he was returning to England to die. Since my last phone chat with him was a mere two weeks before he died - I was baffled and deeply saddened to discover this truth. I knew he was exhausted and experiencing several serious health problems - but he was his usual cheerful self on the phone, and there was no clue he was ready to say goodbye to the world. An Englishman in New York - brings Quentin back to us: Polite, witty, wise, and brave. And true bravery is rarely seen or known.
Dylan Mitchell
About Me:
I was born and raised in Chicago, and live in Portland, Oregon. Most of my work is about outsiders: homeless folks, gays and lesbians, people living with chronic mental illness. My poetry has been published in many literary journals and magazines. Also, I've read my work on KBOO (an alternative radio station in Portland). My most recent book is: 100 Men I Have Slept With (and other poems). It is available on Amazon.com. I can be reached at mitchelldylan72@yahoo.com.
Image used by permission of James Burstall, (CEO of Leopard Films) and John Hurt.
Englishman in New York premiered at the London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival on 26/27 March 2009.
An Englishman In New York premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York April 22 to 3rd May.
An Englishman In New York had it's British TV premiere on ITV1 on 28th December 2009
DVD was released on Amazon at the end of December 2009.
Read a review by his friend Dylan Mitchell
Read a review by the British Film Institute
Read a review by Slant Magazine
Read a review by the Hollywood Reporter
Read a review by Variety
Read a review by Reuters
The film written by Brian Fillis takes up where The Naked Civil Servant left off and takes us through his move to New York and his subsequent years there.
You can find out about the full cast and crew at The Internet Movie Database entry,
The cast includes Cynthia Nixon (of Sex And The City), who is playing Quentin's long time friend, cabaret entertainer Penny Arcade.
You can also see some wonderful photos of John in full costume at The Quentin Crisp Archives
Watch Sting's video of An Englishman In New York featuring Quentin Crisp.
Film review by Dylan Mitchell
BREVITY IS THE SOUL OF WIT
(DVD Review of An Englishman in New York)An Englishman in New York is only 75 minutes long. But the DVD has some splendid extra features (John Hurt talks about why he decided to star in the film, plus there's a wonderful feature about the many challenges of making New York appear as it did during the years Quentin Crisp lived and performed there).
For example, apart from an extra window or two (plus a private bathroom) - Quentin's room looks exactly as it did in real life: rather cluttered and dusty. In addition, the humiliating scene where Quentin tries to help Patrick Angus find a gallery to show his "nasty" paintings - is very true to life. The gallery owner was not very kind. Yet Quentin persisted, and a suitable gallery was eventually found.
Given that the artist died young (from complications due to AIDS), I was very moved by everything Quentin had done to help his dying friend: Especially given all the harsh criticism he received after he once stated that AIDS was a fad.
But actions speak louder than words: Mr. Crisp quietly donated thousands of dollars to an organization dedicated to AIDS research. I think that was his way of offering a retraction. He remained a true original untl the end.
John Hurt 's performance is remarkable: The voice, timing (and even how Quentin walked) are all spot on. In fact, there are one or two unguarded moments where we get to see an emotionally naked Quentin Crisp. Hurt's acting is heartbreaking. Yet he also manages to capture all the great wit and joy for life that Quentin was famous for.
My only criticism of the film is that I wish it might have been a bit longer. Quentin lived in New York for two decades. Both the city (and the man) went through several changes. At the end of the film, one gets the feeling that Quentin knew he was returning to England to die. Since my last phone chat with him was a mere two weeks before he died - I was baffled and deeply saddened to discover this truth. I knew he was exhausted and experiencing several serious health problems - but he was his usual cheerful self on the phone, and there was no clue he was ready to say goodbye to the world. An Englishman in New York - brings Quentin back to us: Polite, witty, wise, and brave. And true bravery is rarely seen or known.
Dylan Mitchell
About Me:
I was born and raised in Chicago, and live in Portland, Oregon. Most of my work is about outsiders: homeless folks, gays and lesbians, people living with chronic mental illness. My poetry has been published in many literary journals and magazines. Also, I've read my work on KBOO (an alternative radio station in Portland). My most recent book is: 100 Men I Have Slept With (and other poems). It is available on Amazon.com. I can be reached at mitchelldylan72@yahoo.com.