NAIRN’S favourite actress, Tilda Swinton, has received the International Federation of Film Archives’ (FIAF’s) annual award.
The actress – famous for starring in films including Michael Clayton, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and Marvel’s Doctor Strange – was presented with the prize last night at the National Library of Scotland’s branch in Glasgow.
Swinton received the award for “her work on the preservation and promotion of archive film, film history – and in particular women’s role in it – and the importance of film archives worldwide”.
She collaborated with Isaac Julien on the film Derek, which told the story of filmmaker Derek Jarman using archive footage.
Her involvement contributed to the saving of Jarman’s cottage, where she filmed one of their early collaborations in 1990.
Swinton also narrated Mark Cousins’ 14-hour documentary Women Make Film and recently delivered a masterclass series alongside Apichatpong Weerasethakul at the Thai Film Archive.
Frédéric Maire, the FIAF’s president, said: “Tilda Swinton is one of the most important personalities in contemporary cinema worldwide, demonstrating unwavering commitment to cinema in all its forms.
“Over the years, she has advocated for the preservation and enhancement of film heritage, including publicly supporting the work of film archives, and promoting restored films.
“By accepting this award, Swinton honours the international moving image archive community.”
Swinton added: “To be recognised by FIAF, a body whose work I admire so much, is a profound honour.
“The diligence with which they bend our attention to the essential foundation to world culture laid by our cinema legacy is something for which I am sincerely grateful.
“It has long been my view that cinema is our chance: I believe that, in opening our eyes to a wide, wild screen, it has the capacity to transform our hearts and our minds, our sense of belonging and our capacity to feel compassion for humanity.”
She added: “In protecting and elevating the roots of our film culture, FIAF encourages our fellowship and faith and very probably our ability to visualise a cinema of the future.
“I am beyond proud to have any opportunity to reflect and champion their work and if accepting this honour can help in any way, I am in, with bells on.”
Read more news and reviews on Scottish Field’s culture pages.
Plus, don’t miss Grant Stott’s credo in the December issue of Scottish Field magazine.
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