Nicolas Jack Roeg, B.S.C. (born August 15, 1928 in London) is an English cinematographer and film director. Contributing to the visual look of Lawrence of Arabia and Roger Corman's The Masque of the Red Death, and co-directing Performance, he would later become the guiding force behind such landmark films as Don't Look Now, Walkabout and The Man Who Fell to Earth.

These and his other pictures are known for their use of the cut-up technique, through which a linear narrative is given a new and less conventional meaning. Often, Roeg will photograph his stories in disjunctive and semi-coherent ways that only make full sense in the film's final moments, when a crucial piece of information surfaces. These techniques, and Roeg's uniquely foreboding sense of atmosphere, have greatly influenced later filmmakers such as Ridley Scott and François Ozon. His later films, however, have received a colder reception by the viewing public.

His work was documented at the Riverside Studios, London between 12th and 14th September 2008, showcasing 9 of his films. He introduced the retrospective along with Miranda Richardson who starred in Puffball.

The retrospective included Bad Timing, Puffball, Far from the Madding Crowd, The Man Who Fell To Earth, The Witches, Eureka, Don't Look Now and Insignificance. The London Film Academy organised this event for Roeg in honour of his patronage of the school.

Personal life

Roeg was married to Susan Stephen between 1957 and 1977. They had four children. After his divorce, he married Theresa Russell in 1982 and they had two children, including actor Max Roeg. Following a divorce, he married Harriet Harper in 2004.

Filmography

Films as director

• Performance, with Donald Cammell (1970)
• Walkabout (1971)
• Don't Look Now (1973)
• The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976)
• Bad Timing: A Sensual Obsession (1980)
• Eureka (1984)
• Insignificance (1985)
• Castaway (1986)
• Aria, with ten other directors (1987)
• Track 29 (1988)
• Sweet Bird of Youth (TV) (1989)
• The Witches (1990)
• Cold Heaven (1991)
• Heart of Darkness (TV) (1994)
• Hotel Paradise (1995)
• Two Deaths (1995)
• Full Body Massage (TV) (1995)
• Samson and Delilah (TV) (1996)
• Puffball (2007)

Selected films as cinematographer

• The Masque of the Red Death (1964)
• Nothing But the Best (1964)
• Doctor Zhivago (1965) (uncredited) (some scenes)
• Fahrenheit 451 (1966)
• A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1966)
• Casino Royale (1967) (Additional Cinematographer)
• Far from the Madding Crowd (1967)
• Petulia (1968)
• Performance (1970)
• Walkabout (1971)

References

• Nicolas Roeg, Neil Feineman, Boston: Twayne, 1978
• The Films of Nicolas Roeg: Myth and Mind, John Izod, Basingstoke, Macmillan, 1992
• Fragile Geometry: The Films, Philosophy and Misadventures of Nicolas Roeg, Joseph Lanza, New York: Paj Publications, 1989.
• The Films of Nicolas Roeg, Neil Sinyard, London: Letts, 1991

External links

• Senses of Cinema Great Directors
• Nicolas Roeg @ pHinnWeb
• Classic interview with Roeg from 1980
• Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences - An Academy Tribute to Nicolas Roeg 2007

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