Burning Bridges
The explosive story of an artist who knew no limits
Burning Bridges tells the explosive story of an artist who challenged boundaries and pushed to the most extreme edges of creativity.
From the 1960s to the early 2000s, Paul Burwell was at the forefront of avant garde music and art in the UK. A founder member of the London Musician’s Collective and the Bow Gamelan Ensemble, Burwell and his collaborators played with the elements to blur the distinction between magick and art.
But while many of his friends found creative success and fame, Burwell headed up-river literally and metaphorically on his own ‘heart of darkness’ journey, abandoning London for a new tribe in the post-industrial north, sinking further into his own vision and ultimately challenging death itself.
Through rediscovered archive footage, sketchbooks, diaries and photographs, along with interviews with his friends and family, Burning Bridges is the story of an artist who knew no limits.
As part of our screening we are delighted to welcome to FON director of the film Matt Stephenson (pictured below) and Michael Barnes-Wynters (executive producer also pictured below). They will be in-conversation about the life of Paul Burwell and how they came to make the film.
Reviews
“A riveting account of Burwell’s intense and uncompromising life.” Julian Cowley, The Wire.
“His blazing work and terrible demise are reanimated in this brilliant portrait of an almost-extinct British bohemia.” Films of the Year 2024, Prospect Magazine
“A truly extraordinary piece of work.” Richard Williams
“Always on the edge, the film grinds a wild and hard path to Paul’s eventual isolation and tragic death.” Tim Etchells, Forced Entertainment
Timings:
Wednesday 7 May 2025.
7pm doors. 7.30pm film starts.
Access information for the screening:
If you have any access requirements please email glenn@fonfestival.org
Advance visits to Piel View House:
If this is your first time to the venue and you are nervous about attending you can arrange to come and see the venue prior to the event to get used to it. If you would like to arrange a visit and meet some of our staff please contact: glenn@fonfestival.org.
