Alan Parker
Alan Parker
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Sir Alan William Parker was a British film director, producer, screenwriter, and actor. He is commonly known as A.W. Parker.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on October 14, 1944, in Islington, London, England. Passed away on April 31, 2020, at the age of 75.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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British film director, producer, screenwriter, and actor.
Early Life and Background
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Alan Parker grew up in a working-class family in London's East End. His father was a tailor, and his mother was a shop assistant. Parker developed an interest in the arts at an early age, attending the nearby Hackney Empire to watch live music performances. He later attended the local grammar school but dropped out at 15 to work as a messenger boy for a film studio.
Major Accomplishments
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Parker's breakthrough came with his first feature film, _Bugsy Malone_ (1976), a musical comedy starring Scott Baio and Florrie Dugger. The film's success led to more directing opportunities, including _Midnight Express_ (1978), which earned him an Academy Award for Best Director.
Some of Parker's notable works include:
The Firm (1988) - a crime drama starring Tom Selleck
Mississippi Burning (1988) - a thriller about the FBI's investigation into the disappearance of three civil rights workers in 1964 Mississippi
Evita (1996) - a musical biopic about Eva Perón, which earned Parker an Academy Award for Best Director
Parker was known for his versatility and ability to tackle diverse genres, from comedy to drama to musicals.
Notable Works or Actions
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Some of Parker's notable works include:
The Lifeless Air (1969) - a short film about a group of people trapped in a lift
Company_ is a 1980 television film starring Michael Gambon as an accountant
Come Play with Me (1972) - a children's comedy film that showcased Parker's ability to create light-hearted entertainment
Impact and Legacy
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Parker's films often explored themes of social justice, politics, and human relationships. His work continues to be celebrated for its thought-provoking content and technical skill.
In 2003, Parker was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to film. He received a lifetime achievement award from the American Film Institute in 1996 and a British Academy Fellowship in 2004.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Parker's films are widely quoted due to their memorable dialogue, iconic scenes, and influential storytelling techniques. His legacy as a director continues to inspire new generations of filmmakers, ensuring that his work remains relevant and impactful.
Quotes by Alan Parker
I'm always afraid someone's going to tap me on the shoulder one day and say, 'Back to North London.'
Making a film is so hard that if you don’t have your main actors going along with the ride with the rest of the crew it can make your life very difficult.
I’ve always been completely autocratic. I’ve never learned to be diplomatic or democratic.
I’m a pluralist. I’ve always argued that as many different films as possible should be made.
I always argued against the auteur theory; films are a collaborative art form. I’ve had some fantastically good people help me make the movies.
It doesn’t matter what the technology is – no one will watch a Peter Greenaway film anyway.
Rain is also very difficult to film, particularly in Ireland because it’s quite fine, so fine that the Irish don’t even acknowledge that it exists.
It's probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do, ... just being away from my kids and my family. That's all I thought about everyday.
People should focus their energy on developing a taste for dark chocolate, because its high cocoa content means that it contains far less sugar than the average chocolate bar.