Age of Consent (1969) Dir:Michael Powell

Let yourself go …… they do!
Michael Powell, award-winning director of seminal classics Black Narcissus and The Red Shoes embarked on his final feature length film, returning to the themes and inspirations that established him as one of the greatest filmmakers of his generation. Age of Consent explores the intense and often obsessive nature of an artist facing the sunset of his career -taking stock of his life and ultimate worth. James Mason (Lolita, The Verdict) is Bradley Morahan, a commercially successful but creatively jaded painter, who retires from the bustle of New York to seek the tranquility and peace of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Looking for inspiration, he meets an innocent yet mature teenager Cora (Oscar winner Helen Mirren, The Queen, Red) who provides him with the impetus to paint once again. Exploring Cora’s natural beauty, Bradley seeks to restore his creative drive and lift his battered self-esteem in a passionate and erotically charged encounter. Based on the autobiographical novel by acclaimed artist Norman Lindsay, Age of Consent captures the essence of the artist as a tortured soul, the power of the mesmerising muse in lifting the spirit and launching the lifelong pursuit of beauty and happiness.

Here’s a collection of three short featurette - First is a video featuring Martin Scorsese. Here he talks briefly about Michael Powell in regards to Age of Consent. Second, we have a ‘making of’ short and finally a candid interview with Helen Mirren.

Shot entirely in Australia, the restored version of Age of Consent was screened  at the State Theatre during the Sydney Film Festival.The Director’s Cut DVD was released in 2009.

Alternate source:

Recommended reading, an article by Australia’s acclaimed filmmaker Anthony Buckley (who edited he film).