Sir Ben Kingsley
Actor
Academy award winning actor Ben Kingsley is perhaps best-known for his Oscar winning portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi. His numerous theatre and film roles have also included Simon Wiesenthal and Itzhak Stern in Schindler's List.
Q1 Which one film would you wish to share with future generations?
Never Take No for an Answer
1951
Story of a small boy in Italy seeking a cure for his pet donkey.
Martin Scorsese is one of the greatest champions of the BFI and whilst filming with him this Spring he secured, from the BFI, a copy of Never Take No for an Answer so that I could watch it again. It was directed by Maurice Cloche and Ralph Smart, and released in English in 1951.
It examines post-war Italy struggling to redefine itself. It is a story of decency, love, persistence and faith. Everything Europe so desperately needed then. The film tells the story of a little boy determined to save the life of his dying donkey. I first saw the film when it opened and, as a little boy, decided then and there on a career in film. I would love audiences to have an opportunity to see this wonderful film today.
Q2 What excites you about the future of the moving image?
Martin Scorsese is passionate about the films of Powell and Pressburger. I see the future of the moving image as a continuation of this great narrative-driven film-making. Whatever the new extraordinary formats, let’s take a lesson from Powell and Pressburger and always aim to touch the hearts of our audiences, as well as dazzling their senses.
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