R.I.P. Alan Parker (1944-2020)

Alan Parker

On July 31, 2020, filmmaker Alan Parker died at the age of 76 in London, England. Over the course of his career, he was known for his diverse body of work that ranged from everything including musicals like Fame and Evita to dramas like Bugsy Malone and Midnight Express. With a hung to continually push boundaries, his work reflects a filmmaker eager to tell engaging stories that he felt would matter for decades to come. The results speak for themselves, leading to several Oscar nominations for various members of his cast and crew. With a great and lengthy career, he leaves behind cinema that not only matters but will be talked about for decades to come. 

Parker was born on February 14, 1944 in Islington, North London. His family was working-class where his mother was a dressmaker and father a house painter. He had an ordinary background and initially didn't want to be a filmmaker. As he grew older, he decided to work in advertising, as he felt it would be a great way to meet girls. He worked in the post room for an advertising agency. He would continue by working for various companies before turning his attention to filming TV ads for groups like Heineken. Considering that there wasn't a film industry in Britain at the time, it made sense to get the exposure that way.

He wrote his first movie Melody, which was released in 1971. Over the course of his career, he would shift back and forth between lighthearted and heavier projects. This was because of his mentor, Fred Zinnemann, who encouraged him to be grateful for every job. Also given that he had four children, he decided to release Bugsy Malone as a gangster movie for kids. He followed it up with his darkest movie to date with Midnight Express, which earned co-writer Oliver Stone his first Oscar. While the film was a success, it initially made his next project, Fame, difficult. He couldn't film at the school that the story took place at for fear of making them look bad. Fame proved to be a hit, eventually leading to a Best Original Song win for its title song.

Later projects included the influential Pink Floyd rock opera The Wall and Birdy. By the time that he worked with Andrew Lloyd Webber on the Oscar-winning Evita, he had directed a few musicals and had the experience. It became Madonna's most acclaimed acting role and earned another Best Original Song win. With other films like Mississippi Burning and Angela's Ashes, he was continued to be praised for his ability to bring humanity to his serious subjects. He kept that urgency alive with every new project.

Over the course of his career, he created some of the best movies in several different genres. He did everything to make his work matter and appeal to audiences of various backgrounds. As a result, his versatility will continue to live on and give the world joy. There's a little bit of something for everyone, and the results speak for themselves. For someone who started out not wanting to be a filmmaker, he more than made his stamp in noteworthy and timeless ways. He will be missed.