Derek Jarman (1942–1994) is best known as one of Europe's most original independent directors, with a dozen feature films, more than twenty music videos (including those for The Smiths and Pet Shop Boys) and three Teddy Awards to his credit. "- a special prize at the Berlin Film Festival for films about sexual minorities. Among other things, Jarman was an artist, writer, poet, designer, gardener, and an influential activist for gay rights. This biography is a detailed analysis of Jarman's life and work, providing the most complete picture of his personality. Michael Charlesworth turns not only to art history and film criticism, but also to Jarman's diary entries, and also talks with those to whom he was dear.