Terry Gilliam to receive Sofia International Film Festival award
Actor and director Terry Gilliam will receive the Sofia International Film Festival award for his contribution to cinematic arts at this year’s edition of the festival, organisers said on January 28.
Bulgaria’s biggest annual cinema event grew over time, but it started as a showing of Monty Python films. Now, 20 years later, it is entirely appropriate that one of the Monty Python’s cast be honoured at this anniversary edition of the festival, the organisers said.
Gilliam directed Monty Python and the Holy Grail, while his writing credits include that movie, Life of Brian and The Meaning of Life, as well as 44 episodes of Monty Python’s Flying Circus. His other films are equally well-known: Brazil, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Twelve Monkeys, The Brothers Grimm and The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, just to name a few.
A retrospective of Gilliam’s films, starting March 1, will precede Sofia International Film Festival’s main programme, between March 10 and 20. He will become the second member of the Monty Python group to receive the festival’s award, with Michael Palin honoured in 2009.
(Gilliam at a Q&A session after the showing of Twelve Monkeys at the Cape Town Film Fest in 2013. Photo: boltofblue/flickr.com)
