Edward II

One of final masterpieces from director Derek Jarman, the iconic New Queer Cinema classic Edward II offers a radical, postmodern take on Christopher Marlowe’s Elizabethan tragedy. Newly crowned, the youthful King Edward II (Steven Waddington) sets the stage for palace revolt when he takes the ambitious Piers Gaveston (Andrew Tiernan) as his lover. Neglecting both his wife, Isabella (Tilda Swinton), and his royal responsibilities, Edward heaps titles and honors on Gaveston, while indulging in a life of ease and pleasure. Distraught with jealousy, Isabella conspires with her husband’s powerful enemies to depose the king and have her vengeance.