PRETTYBIRD Signs Directing Duo Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard

Prettybird are excited to announce that directing duo Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard have joined their roster, coinciding with the premier of the new episode of Sky Arts 'Urban Myths' ‘The Dali and The Cooper’, airing on Sky on 3rd May 2018 and directed by the talented artist/director couple.

Pollard and Forsyth commented: "Magic doesn’t just happen. It takes passion and hard work. Prettybird have both, in spades. As soon as we walked through their door, we felt at home. So it’s with a huge amount of excitement that we’re joining the ranks of their eclectic bunch of freaks and mavericks."

‘The Dali and The Cooper’ reimagines one day in 1973 when musician Alice Cooper met mythical artist Salvador Dali backstage after a gig in New York as part of his ‘Billion Dollar Babies’ Tour.

‘The Dali and The Cooper’ is episode 4 of a new season of Sky Arts Urban Myths, which tells the story of Alice Cooper befriending iconic artist Salvador Dali. A 69 year-old Dali is played with characteristic panache by David Suchet, whilst Noel Fielding puts his inimitable spin on legendary Alice Cooper as a 24 year old Goth-rocker. Fielding was born to play the role of Cooper, who he met whilst hosting Never Mind the Buzzcocks, so when the Sky Arts role came up he asked Pollard and Forsyth if they would cast him.  

Sheila Hancock majestically plays the role of Dali’s wife and muse Gala Dali in the 23-minute episode written by comedy writers Roger Drew and Ed Dyson, known for their work on The Thick of It and Veep. Forsyth and Pollard commissioned Jarvis Cocker to write the soundtrack, which he created with Richard Hawley.  

Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard are London-based artists and filmmakers and alumni of world-renowned art school Goldsmiths College, where they met in the mid-nineties. Since then they have won multiple awards for their innovative skill of mixing up art with cinema. Awards include; BIFA: Winner of the Douglas Hickox Award for Best Debut Director at the British Independent Film Awards in 2014; BAFTA and Independent Spirit Award nominations for 20,000 Days on Earth, which won Directing and Editing awards at Sundance; and a Grierson Award for Best Arts Documentary in 2015. 

Their beautifully crafted narratives and unique filmmaking style is evident in ‘The Dali and The Cooper’, a surreal film with the retro look of the 70s.   The Dali and The Cooper premiered on Sky Arts on 3 May and is available to download here.

Also announced today, Iain & Jane will be showcasing DOUBLETHINK at Sheffield Doc/Fest - a video installation featuring George MacKay. From 7-12 June, in Sheffield’s Tudor Square, visitors will be faced with a binary decision: either enter the door marked HATE or the one marked HOPE. Created specifically for Doc/Fest with support from Wellcome and input from mental health researchers.