Scorsese to direct Bob Dylan film for BBC's Arena

by Gordon MacMillan,, Brand Republic 21-May-03, 12:00

LONDON - The BBC arts show 'Arena' has scored a major coup in commissioning Martin Scorsese, director of 'Taxi Driver' and 'Goodfellas', to helm a feature-length documentary on the life of the legendary camera-shy folk singer Bob Dylan.

The documentary for the BBC's flagship arts strand will be made through Scorsese's Cappa Productions. Dylan, who is notoriously shy of cameras and interviews, has offered Scorsese his full cooperation in the making of this film.

According to Scorsese: "I've admired and enjoyed his many musical transformations. For me, there is no other musical artist who weaves his influences so densely to create something so personal and unique.

"This project gives me a chance to explore one of the most exciting artists and icons of the past 50 years."

The two have previously worked together when Scorsese filmed 'The Last Waltz', the 1978 movie documentary about the final performance by The Band, which included performances from Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Eric Clapton among others.

Anthony Wall, editor of Arena, said: "This is a great moment. Martin Scorsese directing a film about Bob Dylan is history in its own right. It goes without saying that this is a truly exciting venture. It will be a great privilege to work with Scorsese."

Over the years, Arena has won eight British Academy Awards and more than 20 nominations, along with numerous other honours from all over the world including the Emmys and the Prix Italia.

The yet-to-be-titled Bob Dylan anthology project will focus on Dylan's life and art from the beginning of his career -- with such seminal hits as 'Blowin' in the Wind' and 'Like a Rolling Stone' -- through to 1966, concluding with his recording the 'Blonde on Blonde' album and its breakaway single 'Just Like a Woman'.

The film will feature an extensive archive and never-before-seen footage. It will include contributions from major artists and other players from the period.

The documentary will film Dylan telling his story and talking about the history of the period that he had a major influence on.

Franny Moyle, head of arts commissioning for the BBC, said: "It is a real coup to get such a giant of the film industry profiling one of the most influential musicians of our time."

She added: "This film is another major programme for the award-winning 'Arena', which over the years has cast unique insights into icons from Pinter to Elvis."

Scorsese will be one of the producers, along with Arena's Anthony Wall. The other producers on the film are Nigel Sinclair of Spitfire Pictures, Jeff Rosen of Greywater Park, and Susan Lacy, executive producer of 'American Masters' from New York's PBS Channel Thirteen/WNET.

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