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Mike Leigh OBE honoured

Filmmaker made Doctor of Arts

AWARD-winning filmmaker Mike Leigh OBE returned to his Manchester roots to collect an Honorary Doctorate from Manchester Metropolitan University.

Leigh, who spent much of his childhood in Salford where he attended Salford Grammar School is known for his films including Vera Drake, Life is Sweet and Topsy Turvy.

He won the Best Director award at Cannes Film Festival for Naked in 1993 and the Palme d'Or in 1996 for Secrets and Lies.

The former Manchester School of Art acting lecturer whose son Toby is also a graduate (BA (Hons) Illustration 2000) was honoured for his contribution to British culture at a graduation ceremony at the Bridgewater Hall.

Capture time

Reflecting on how the city had changed so enormously since his youth, he themed his speech around time and place, recalling his days at the Free Trade Hall, Central Manchester Railway Station, the Library Theatre and a pub with a foul-mouthed mynah bird.

“In film, I reflect on time, how elastic it is, how we capture it, expand it and distort it.

“It must seem like yesterday that you arrived at MMU, but what a lifetime’s experience you’ve crammed in as an undergraduate.

“Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your life. I wish you all much luck on your journey. Congratulations!”

Most influential

John Deeney, principal lecturer in contemporary arts at MMU Cheshire described Leigh as “one of the most important, influential and instantly-recognisable artists to have emerged from post-War Britain”.

Published Friday, 13th July 2012