Roland Joffé

1. Overview

Roland Joffé (Roland Joffé_{Ro-lan Zho-fey}^French) is an English film and television director, producer, and screenwriter, best known for his critically acclaimed early films, The Killing Fields (1984) and The Mission (1986). These works earned him Academy Award for Best Director nominations, with The Mission also winning the prestigious Palme d'Or at the 1986 Cannes Film Festival. Joffé's career began in television, where he gained a reputation for directing politically charged and realist factual dramas. His films often explore profound social, political, and humanitarian themes, reflecting a deep engagement with human conflict, historical events, and issues of justice and compassion. While his early career was marked by significant critical success and awards, his later works have faced mixed reviews and commercial challenges, yet he remains a director recognized for his ambitious and often humanistic storytelling.

2. Early Life and Education

Roland Joffé was born in London, England, on November 17, 1945, into a family of French and Jewish heritage. His father, Mark Joffé, was a journalist from Riga, Latvia, who had lived extensively in France and worked for the British Foreign Office during World War II. Around 1950, Mark Joffé began a relationship with Esther Garman, the daughter of renowned sculptor Jacob Epstein and Kathleen Garman. Esther Garman played a role in raising Roland. After Esther's suicide in 1954, Roland lived with Jacob Epstein and Kathleen Garman, who served as his maternal grandparents. Portraits of Roland as a child, created by Jacob Epstein and Esther's brother Theodore Garman, are preserved as part of the Garman Ryan Collection at The New Art Gallery Walsall.

Joffé received his education at several independent schools. He attended the Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle in South Kensington, London, a French-language private school. Later, he studied at Carmel College in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, which was Europe's only Jewish boarding school until its closure in 1997. He completed his formal education at the University of Manchester, where he studied English and drama.

3. Early Career and Television Work

After graduating from the University of Manchester, Roland Joffé began his career in the television industry. In 1973, he joined Granada Television as a trainee director. During his time at Granada, he directed episodes for several popular television series, including four episodes of Coronation Street (1973-1974), four episodes of Sam (1974-1975), and six episodes of The Stars Look Down (1975). He also directed four episodes of Crown Court (1976), five episodes of Bill Brand (1976), and three episodes of Headmaster (1977). Through these early works, Joffé began to establish a reputation for his ability to handle hard-hitting political stories and factual dramas, a style that would become a hallmark of his later work.

In 1977, Joffé directed an episode for the BBC series Second City Firsts. He subsequently directed two more plays for the BBC's acclaimed Play for Today series: The Legion Hall Bombing (1979) and United Kingdom (1981). In 1979, he directed the television play No, Mama, No by Verity Bargate for the ITV Playhouse series. In 1980, he adapted John Ford's 17th-century play 'Tis Pity She's a Whore into a television film for the BBC. His work on these programs solidified his reputation for politically charged and realist storytelling, often tackling complex social issues.

4. Political Involvement and Blacklisting

Roland Joffé's early career was significantly impacted by his political involvement and subsequent blacklisting. In the early 1970s, Joffé attended meetings of the Workers' Revolutionary Party (then known as the Socialist Labour League). Although he never became a party member, his attendance drew the attention of British intelligence. He later clarified his stance, stating around 1988, "I was very interested in politics at that time. But I was interested in what all the political parties were doing, not just the WRP, and I was never actively involved." He severed all ties with the party in 1977.

Despite his limited involvement, in 1977, when producer Tony Garnett sought to hire Joffé to direct the play The Spongers for the BBC's Play for Today series, he was informed that Joffé lacked BBC clearance and was deemed a "security risk" by MI5. This designation placed Joffé on a "Christmas tree" blacklist due to his perceived left-wing views. Garnett, however, strongly advocated for Joffé, threatening to make the issue public if the veto on Joffé's appointment was not withdrawn. This threat ultimately led to the lifting of the ban, allowing Joffé to direct The Spongers. The play went on to achieve critical success, winning the prestigious Prix Italia award in 1978. This incident highlights the political scrutiny faced by artists in the UK during that period and Joffé's early engagement with social and political themes in his work.

5. Film Directing Career

Roland Joffé's career as a feature film director began with two highly acclaimed films that garnered him international recognition, followed by a series of diverse projects that met with varying critical and commercial success.

6. Film Production and Other Activities

In addition to his directorial work, Roland Joffé has been involved in film production and other notable activities. In the late 1980s, he co-founded the production company Lightmotive with Ben Myron.

As a producer, Joffé was notably involved in the 1993 big-budget adaptation of the video game Super Mario Bros.. Although he partially directed the film, it struggled significantly at the box office and failed to recoup its budget. He also served as a producer for Waterproof (2000) and as an executive producer for Blood on the Crown (2021).

Beyond his film career, Joffé is actively engaged in humanitarian and cultural initiatives. He serves as a board member for Operation USA, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing disaster relief and development aid. He was also the official patron of the 2011 Cambodia Volleyball World Cup, held from July 23 to 29 at the National Olympic Stadium Phnom Penh. Joffé resides on the island of Malta and is an active member of the team organizing the Valletta Film Festival, contributing to the cultural landscape of the island.

7. Personal Life and Family

Roland Joffé has been married and in long-term relationships, with children who have also pursued careers in the arts.

From 1974 to 1980, Joffé was married to actress Jane Lapotaire. They have a son, Rowan Joffé, born in 1973, who has become a notable screenwriter and director. Following his marriage to Lapotaire, Joffé was in a long-term relationship with actress Cherie Lunghi. They have a daughter, Nathalie Lunghi, born in 1986, who is an actor.

His family background includes a notable connection to the arts through his father's relationship with Esther Garman, daughter of the renowned sculptor Jacob Epstein. After Esther Garman's suicide in 1954, Joffé was raised by his maternal grandparents, Jacob Epstein and Kathleen Garman. This connection placed him within a prominent artistic family environment from a young age.

8. Philosophy and Beliefs

Roland Joffé's personal worldview and philosophical outlook have significantly influenced the thematic depth and humanistic concerns prevalent in his directorial work. He has described himself as a "wobbly agnostic," indicating a position of uncertainty or skepticism regarding the existence of God, while remaining open to spiritual or existential questions.

This self-described agnosticism does not preclude an engagement with profound spiritual and moral themes in his films. Instead, it seems to inform a humanistic approach, focusing on the human condition, moral dilemmas, and the search for meaning in complex situations. Films like The Mission explore faith, sacrifice, and the clash of cultures, while There Be Dragons delves into themes of faith, forgiveness, and the complexities of religious organizations. Even in his more politically charged works like The Killing Fields, the emphasis remains on human resilience, friendship, and the impact of political events on individual lives. Joffé's films consistently highlight issues of human rights, social justice, and the inherent value of human life, reflecting a socially conscious perspective that aligns with his stated philosophical stance.

9. Assessment and Legacy

Roland Joffé's career as a film director is characterized by significant early triumphs, followed by a period of varying critical and commercial outcomes. His legacy is largely shaped by his powerful early works and their enduring impact on cinematic storytelling and social discourse.

9.1. Critical Acclaim and Contributions

Joffé's early directorial achievements, particularly The Killing Fields (1984) and The Mission (1986), received widespread critical acclaim and cemented his reputation as a director capable of tackling complex historical and humanitarian narratives with depth and sensitivity. Both films earned him Best Director nominations, a rare feat for a director's first two feature films. The Mission further distinguished itself by winning the Palme d'Or at the 1986 Cannes Film Festival.

These films are celebrated for their powerful storytelling, compelling performances, and stunning cinematography. They brought international attention to critical social and political issues, such as the Cambodian genocide and the conflicts arising from colonialism and missionary work in South America. Joffé's ability to blend intense drama with profound ethical questions, while maintaining a humanistic focus, is considered a significant contribution to filmmaking. His early works are often cited as examples of cinema that effectively engages with human rights and social justice issues, leaving a lasting impact on audiences and inspiring discussions on these topics.

10. Filmography

11. Awards and Nominations