A true firebrand, maverick, and iconoclast, Ken Russell eventually became marginalised by the cinematic establishment that brought him to prominence, but undiminished he continued to make film work on his own terms outside of the industry mainstream.

Born in Southampton 1927 his vulgar, shameless and scandalous content matter and loose, chaotic, pictorial style lead Fellini to announce ‘They call me the Italian Ken Russell’

One of the UK’s foremost filmmaking talents Russell was included in The Telegraph‘s top 21 British directors of all time albeit at the 21st position, a position that seems to suit his position as the black sheep of British cinema.

Russell courted tabloid attention both for his appearance on Channel four’s 2007 Big Brother and when he advertised on the internet for the love of his life. American Elize Tribble, who claimed that Russell’s films had changed her life, answered his plea and came to live with Russell, remaining with him to the end of this life.

While Russell is possibly best known for his breakthrough film Women in Love and the controversy that surrounds his intermittently banned and released film The Devils, I would like to bring attention to the eminently watchable The Lair of the White Worm where Russell brings his Blakean hallucinogenic as a dazzling example of consumable cult cinema riotously imagined and starring a young Hugh Grant and a sizzling Amanda Donohoe. Just one example from the unrecognised continent of gaudy provocative riches that constitutes Russell’s daring body of work.

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Films being presented include The Well Digger’s Daughter with special guest Caché actor Daniel Auteuil introducing the UK premiere at the Ciné Lumiere in London on the 11th November. Auteuil, perhaps best known for his role in Jean de Florette, returns in this romantic drama film also adapted from a novel by Marcel Pagnol  

Bringing some classical French iconoclasm to the proceedings will be the latest feature starring that most quintessential of French actresses, Catherine Deneuve. In Beloved she plays alongside her daughter, the beautiful Chiara Mastroianni in another lighthearted relationship drama

Audiences will also have the opportunity to see All the Suns Philippe Claudel‘s second feature after his deeply moving success I’ve Loved you so Long  

It seems like there are no massive ‘must see’ films playing this year, but perhaps one could emerge from the blue and take us all by surprise. Here’s looking forward to next years 20th anniversary

Have you attended any of the FFF screenings this year? What stood out to you?

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Ian Fielding is the Writer and Director of Wilby Park

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Like The BFI 100, the Time Out countdown was complied by soliciting the opinions of a distinguished panel of cinematic acolytes, including film directors Richard Ayoade, Alfonso Cuarón and Wes Anderson as well as big screen actors including Four Lions Riz Ahmed and Made in Dagenham‘s Sally Hawkins

It’s a strong list, full of hidden gems that present a compelling snapshot of what British cinema is capable of

As for absentees, I would make a case for Carol Reed‘s powerful 1947 film noir Odd Man Out

A film often overshadowed by Reed’s more renowned ‘Citizen Kane of British Film’ The Third Man, which came second in the rankings, itself was pipped at the post by Nicolas Roeg‘s superb supernatural thriller Don’t Look Now which, though often revered has never before been exposed to this level of universal endorsement

What film would you like to see added to the list?

Explore The 100 Best British Films for more

Ian Fielding is the Writer and Director of Wilby Park

Support Ian by buying Wilby Park available on DVD from amazon now