NA 2 - Discovering Mr Turner

Dear students & readers of this blog

Next Thursday, 5 March, at 20:30, we'll have the chance to watch a very interesting film, offered to us by the FILMOTECA DE EXTREMADURA  in Plasencia.

The film is called MR TURNER, directed by the prestigious British director Mike Leigh, and starred by Timothy Spall. For a taste of it, here you have the trailer:

But who was this "Mr Turner" that deserves a place in history?

Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775- 1851) was a British landscape painter, watercolorist and printmaker, quite controversial in his day, but who is considered today as "the painter of light" and inspirer of the 20th century abstract art.

For more info, click here for a short biography.

As it has already been mentioned, Turner was renowned for his landscapes. If you don't have the chance to travel to London to see his paintings, don't miss the following slideshow. Which one is your favourite?

Now, talking about the film, who is who in Mr Turner? Have a look below:

• Joseph Mallord William Turner, a painter, played by Timothy Spall.
• Hannah Danby, Turner's devoted housekeeper and lover, played by Dorothy Atkinson.
• Sophia Booth, Turner's landlady and second lover, played by Marion Bailey.
• William Turner, Joseph's father, who lived with him until he died. Played by Paul Jesson.

For more info, wikipedia!

What were Mike Leigh's intentions when he made the film? How did some of his cast prepare it? Watch the video below and answer the questions below:

1. When did Mike Leigh become aware of JMW Turner's work?

a) In the 60s, when he saw his paintings in a museum

b) In the 60s, when he was studying art

c) In the 60s, when he read about him

2. How many films had been made before Mike Leigh decided to make his?

a) Two

b) Four

c) None

3. How much did actresses Marion Bailey and Dorothy Atkinson know about Turner before shooting the film?
 

a) They were quite familiar with his work, but not with his life.
b) Only a few details of his life

c) They were only aware of the extent of his work.

4. What did Marion Bailey prepare her character?

a) She listened to some recordings from the 1950s

b) She visited the area of Kent

c) She talked to people in their 90s from the Kent area

5. How did Mike Leigh build Mr Turner's character?

a) By building a whole pattern of behaviour and motivations

b) By studying his life in depth

c) By studying the way he talked

(ask your teacher for the answers)

 I hope this helps you understand the character and the film.

See you at the Filmoteca!!