Films directed by Mark Kidel

A list of Calliope Media Productions is also available.

SOWETO STRINGS (2007)
Calliope Media, BBC

A JOURNEY WITH PETER SELLARS (2007)
AGAT Films, Calliope Media, WildArt Films, ARTE France

HUNGARY 1956: OUR REVOLUTION (2006)
Calliope Media in association with Les Films d'Ici, BBC, ARTE France

HENRI OGUIKE: SECOND FRAME (2006)
Les Films d'Ici, ARTE France

MARIO LANZA: SINGING TO THE GODS (2005)
A portrait of the world-famous Italian-American tenor and screen actor. Calliope Media, BBC

SUSHEELA RAMAN: INDIAN JOURNEY (2005)
A documentary about the award-winning British world musician's exploration of her roots in Tamil Nadu (India) Les Films d'Ici, ARTE France

JOE ZAWINUL: A MUSICAL PORTRAIT (2005)
Calliope Media, BBC

IMBER: ENGLAND'S LOST VILLAGE (2004)
A documentary made in conjunction with a commission by Artangel from Georgian composer Giya Kancheli of a Requiem for a Wiltshire village that was evacuated in the last world war to be used for military manoeuvres. Artangel Media and BBC

RAVE (2003)
Film version of Karole Armitage’s dance piece Les Films d’Ici for ARTE

BILL VIOLA: THE EYE OF THE HEART (2003)
The first portrait of the world’s leading video artist. Calliope Media for BBC and ARTE
FREE WILL AND TESTAMENT: THE ROBERT WYATT STORY (2002)
Documentary and performance film about one of Britain’s most original musicians. Somethin’ Else for BBC,

PARIS BROTHEL (2003)
A film exploring the world of one of France’s most central social and cultural institutions of the interwar years, the ‘maisons closes’. Calliope Media for ARTE and BBC

GLASTONBURY 2002 (2002)
A two-and-a-half hour music and documentary extravaganza around the world famous rock festival. A collaboration between the BBC, ARTE France, Ex Nihilo Films (Paris)

RAVI SHANKAR: BETWEEN TWO WORLDS (2001)
Feature-length portrait of the century's most important Indian classical musician. With JP Weiner Productions (NYC, Paris) and Agat Films (Paris). (ARTE, NHK, BBC)

RAVI SHANKAR IN CONCERT (2002)
Filmed perfomance at London’s Union Chapel

LEON FLEISHER: LESSONS OF A MASTER (2001)
The extraordinary life of Artur Schnabel's star piano pupil, and how he has overcome the 30-year paralysis of his right hand. With Les Films d'ici for ARTE. 60 mins.

ALFRED BRENDEL: MAN AND MASK (2000)
Portrait of one of the world’s greatest classical pianists – for BBC-2 special to celebrate his 70th birthday in early January 2001. Broadcast on Christmas day 2000. 70mins. Rosetta Pictures for BBC, ARTE.

BRENDEL IN PERFORMANCE (2000)
A rare performance film, shot at Snape Maltings, in which Brendel plays Mozart, Haydn and Schubert. 50minutes. Rosetta Pictures for BBC, ARTE.

LES HOPITAUX MEURENT AUSSI (2000)
A film about the closure of one of Paris’s oldest hospitals, and a reflection on death, grief and memory. Writer, producer and director. 77 minutes. ARTE, Les films d’ici.

NAKED AND FAMOUS: TRICKY (1997)
Black Bristol musician Tricky explores his roots in his home town. Documentary for Channel 4, Morgane Production and ARTE. Producer and director. 50 minutes. Rosetta Pictures 

TRICKY LIVE (1997)
Tricky's April 1997 show at the Shepherd's Bush Empire. Producer and director 50-minutes for Channel Four. Rosetta Pictures

WILD BALLERINA (1997)
A Profile of Karole Armitage. Portrait of US choreographer, around the New York presentation of her "Predators' Ball", a multimedia piece based on the Wall Street junk bond scandals of the 80's. 50-minutes. Writer and director. Les films d'ici for ARTE

BALTHUS THE PAINTER (1996)
The first definitive documentary profile of one of the century's greatest painters. For BBC1's Omnibus. 50-minutes. Writer and director. Rosetta Pictures / RM Arts

JUST DANCING AROUND? (1996)
Richard Alston: Exploration of the working methods of Britain's top contemporary dance choreographer. For Channel Four series including Trisha Brown and William Forsythe. 52 minutes. Director. Euphoria Films

NORMAN FOSTER (1995)
A profile of the internationally renowned architect for BBC1's Omnibus and RM Arts (Munich). 50-minutes. Producer, writer and director. Rosetta Pictures / RM Arts, BBC1

DREAMTOWN: A BRIEF ANATOMY OF BLACK POOL (1995)
Portrait of England’s favourite seaside for BBC-2 theme night on Blackpool (50 minutes) With Blackpool-born actor David Thewlis. Writer and director BBC2

EDGARD VARESE (1995)
Portrait of one of the 20th century’s most original composers. 60 minutes. Writer and director. Les films d’ici for ARTE, BBC

BOY GEORGE: BOY NEXT DOOR? (1994)
Profile of Boy George for BBC-1’s OMNIBUS Writer,producer and director Third Eye Productions for BBC

ARCHITECTURE OF THE IMAGINATION (1994)
Series of 5 x 30 minute films about the symbolism of doors, windows, staircases, bridges and towers. BBC2

KIND OF BLUE (1994)
An essay on melancholia. 52 minutes. Producer, writer and director. Channel Four. Best Film Royal Television Society Award

THE HEART HAS REASONS (1993)
An essay about heart disease and the symbolism of the heart. Writer, producer and director. 52 minutes. Channel Four

PYGMIES IN PARIS (1992)
A 45-minute documentary about a visit to Paris by a group of Bayaka pygmies. A reflection on the packaging of traditional culture for the 'world music' market. Writer, director and co-producer. A co-production of the BBC, La SEPT and les Films D'Ici

DEREK JARMAN: A PORTRAIT (1991)
60-minute portrait for BBC2's ARENA, looking at Jarman's life and work as a painter, writer and film-maker. Writer, producer and director

SOMETHING RICH AND STRANGE (1991)
Portrait of contemporary composer Iannis Xenakis. Writer, Producer and Director. 60 minutes. BBC and RM Arts

BAMAKO BEAT: MUSIC FROM MALI (1991)
50 minute film for BBC2's world music series Rhythms of the World. A series of traditional and modern performances from the best musicians in Mali. Writer, producer and director

LE PARIS BLACK (1990)
60 minute film for BBC2’s Arena on the French capital's twentieth century romance with all things African. Writer, producer and director

UNDER AFRICAN SKIES (1989)
Two 60 minute films in this series about the relationship between music, culture and society in Mali and Algeria. For BBC2

NEW YORK: THE SECRET AFRICAN CITY (1989)
60-minute film for BBC2's Arena, exploring the multifaceted presence of African culture in New York with Robert Farris Thompson, Professor of Art History at Yale. Producer and director