(1942-1994) English avant-garde film director. Jarman made several low-budget, highly innovative features, often with homo-erotic associations. His homosexuality was a dominant refrain in his work and he was a committed campaigner for gay rights. His films include Sebastiane 1975, with dialogue spoken in Latin, Caravaggio 1986, Edward II 1991, a free adaptation of Christopher Marlowe’s play, and his biography of the philosopher Wittgenstein 1993.
Jarman's films often deal with historical subjects using deliberate elements of anachronism and contemporary comment to provocative effect. His work provoked strong reactions, ranging from admiration for his formal daring to rejection for what was seen as willful obscurity.