The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Stars pay tribute to film legend
Sir Alan Parker directed some of the most influential films of all time, winning an array of accolades.
He was responsible for pictures including Bugsy Malone, Fame and Midnight Express, and worked with the likes of Madonna, Peter Gabriel and Baron Lloyd-Webber.
Sir Alan was born in Islington, London, on February 14 1944, and began his career in advertising as a copywriter.
In 1975 he wrote and directed his first feature film Bugsy Malone – a musical pastiche of Hollywood gangster films of the 1930s featuring a cast of children including Jodie Foster and Scott Baio.
His second film, 1977’s Midnight Express, won two Oscars, six Golden Globes and four Baftas.
In 1981, he directed Pink Floyd – The Wall, the feature film adaptation of the band’s successful rock album, which became a cult classic among music fans.
Sir Alan received the Bafta Academy Fellowship Award, the body’s highest honour, in 2013.
In all, he won 19 Baftas, 10 Golden Globes and 10 Oscars.
Madonna starred in Sir Alan’s 1996 musical drama Evita, and led tributes to the filmmaker on social media.
She wrote: “He taught me so much, believed in me, pushed me to my limits and made an incredible film! Thank you!”
Singer Peter Gabriel worked with Sir Alan on 1984 drama Birdy, creating the film’s score.
The former Genesis singer said the late director made a “serious impact” on his life.
He added: “There’s a lot of wonderful work he has left us. He also had a serious impact on my own life as he was the first film director to think I might be able to create a film score.
“He was so encouraging, passionate and dedicated to saying something real with his films, and all delivered with his gentle and timely sense of humour.”
Baron Lloyd-Webber, who wrote the musical Evita, described Sir Alan as “one of the few directors to truly understand musicals on screen”.
Actor Alec Baldwin, director Edgar Wright and James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli were also among those paying tribute.
Sir Alan died aged 76 on Friday following a long illness.
He is survived by his wife Lisa Moran-Parker, five children, and seven grandchildren.