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David Lean: From Quaker Upbringing to Epic Cinema Master
21 May
Summary
- David Lean overcame dyslexia and strict Quaker upbringing.
- His father did not believe in his potential.
- Photography gave Lean the confidence for a film career.
A documentary exploring the life of British filmmaker David Lean premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Titled 'Maverick: The Epic Adventures of David Lean,' the film delves into Lean's challenging ascent to cinematic mastery. Lean, renowned for his epic films like 'Lawrence of Arabia,' faced numerous hurdles early on.
Despite being dyslexic and performing poorly in school, Lean's father held little faith in his abilities. His strict Quaker upbringing further complicated matters, as his family disapproved of theater and cinema. Lean discovered a passion and talent for photography, which ultimately provided the confidence to pursue a career in filmmaking.
Lean's collaboration with actor Alec Guinness was pivotal; he discovered Guinness in a stage adaptation of 'Great Expectations' and subsequently cast him, leading to a fruitful partnership. Though Lean created iconic romantic films, his personal life was marked by six marriages, suggesting a personal pursuit of perfection that eluded him.
