The Garden

Overview

A nearly wordless visual narrative intercuts two main stories and a couple of minor ones. A woman, perhaps the Madonna, brings forth her baby to a crowd of intrusive paparazzi; she tries to flee them. Two men who are lovers marry and are arrested by the powers that be. The men are mocked and pilloried, tarred, feathered, and beaten. Loose in this contemporary world of electrical-power transmission lines is also Jesus. The elements, particularly fire and water, content with political power, which is intolerant and murderous.

Directed by Derek Jarman

Top cast

Tilda Swinton

Madonna/Voice Overs

J

Johnny Mills

Lover

P

Philip MacDonald

Joseph

Pete Lee-Wilson

Devil

Spencer Leigh

Mary Magdalene / Adam

J

Jody Graber

Young Boy

R

Roger Cook

Christ

K

Kevin Collins

Lover

Dawn Archibald

Nature Spirit

M

Milo Bell

Cast Member

Vernon Dobtcheff

Old Man at Sauna

Michael Gough

Voice Overs/Old Man at Sauna

M

Maribelle La Manchega

Spanish Dancer

Jessica Martin

Singer

J

Jack Birkett

Pontius (Orlando)

Leslie Randall

Old Man at Sauna

M

Mike Tezcan

Policeman

M

Matthew Wilde

Policeman

S

Stephen McBride

Narrator (voice)

Y

Yolande Brener

Eve

Details