THE PRICE OF DESIRE

THE PRICE OF DESIRE (dir. Mary McGuckian, France, 109 mins) Mary McGuckian's biographical drama THE PRICE OF DESIRE and Marco Orsini’s companion documentary GRAY MATTER are set to reinstate the legacy of Irish-born Eileen Gray (1878–1976) as one of the most important innovators of contemporary design and architecture. Released in the year that marks 40 years since her death, the films open in selected UK and Irish cinemas from May 27. Orla Brady stars in the controversial story of how Gray’s influential contribution to 20th-century architecture and design was almost wiped from history by 'Father of Modernism' Le Corbusier (Vincent Perez). Set substantially on the Côte d’Azur in and around her most abiding work, the fabulous villa E-1027, the movie shows how Gray's relationship with philanderer Jean Badovici — who made Le Corbusier famous — further fuelled the rift between the two architects, consigning Gray’s legacy to a century of neglect and long-overdue recognition. Alanis Morissette returns to her first love of acting to play Gray’s on/off lover, chanteuse Marisa Damia. Julian Lennon provides the film’s stunning stills photography. Writer/director, Mary McGuckian says, “I hope this film about how a female architectural icon came to lose her right to be recognised as the author of her work can serve to highlight the impact of insidious chauvinism prevailing in certain professions to this day, architecture and film-making among them.” THE PRICE OF DESIRE screens at the Barbican Centre from 28 May until 1 June, while Marco Orsini’s biographical documentary feature GRAY MATTERS (2014, 76 mins) plays from 28–30 May on the specialist Bertha DocHouse screen at Curzon Bloomsbury: http://www.curzoncinemas.com/bloomsbury/film-info/dochouse-gray-matters For the record, the 2015 redesign of Curzon Bloomsbury was influenced by postwar Modernism to showcase films in a minimalist setting. The cinema’s furniture was created according to original designs by Eileen Gray, and as supplied by Aram (Drury Lane, Covent Garden), the worldwide licence holders for most of Eileen Gray’s furniture pieces. The film also screens at Genesis Cinema in Mile End on 9 June: http://genesiscinema.co.uk/GenesisCinema.dll/WhatsOn?Year=2016&Month=6&Day=9