IN THE SHADOW OF THE SUN (1980) [Feature]
Set designer, art director and maker of the highly successful Sebastiane. Jubilee and The Tempest. Derek Jarman has recently returned to Super 8 to produce his new films. Using a combination of old and new footage. the films have been expertly blown up to 1 6mm Working closely with Throbbing Gristle, who provide the perfect electronic sound for his images Jarman's new work, although different from his commercial features. demonstrates his considerable visual imagination and control, as well as a willingness to investigate continually the potential of Super 8 for independent film production. In the Shadow of the Sun is composed of Super 8 footage going back to the early 1970s, out of which Derek Jarman has constructed an entirely new film, an elaborate and meticulously crafted exercise based on a piece of film of a car trip to Avebury. Images of ritual happenings and objects of mystical significance are superimposed optically to produce an abstract surface of color and texture; an excellent musical score by Throbbing Gristle makes the film a compelling experience.