In Memoriam of Derek Jarman: Caravaggio

With his avant-garde films and unique style, Derek Jarman is an important name within the New Queer Cinema movement of the 1990s. For the first time, during this period self-representation in film became widely accessible for queer filmmakers due to the rise of cheaper handheld cameras. Jarman’s unique style closely resembled that of the Italian Baroque painter Caravaggio and sometimes appears almost theatrical. 2024 marks the 30th year since this legendary director died from AIDS-related illness at the age of 52.

This biopic about the Baroque painter, who Jarman identified so strongly with, was one of the most important works to him. On his deathbed, the queer artist reflects on Caravaggio’s  struggle for recognition, the scandals, and the eventual murder that led to his demise. The scenes, shot on 35mm film, often resemble the tableaux that are so characteristic of Caravaggio’s style, with the same striking use of color, light, and depth.