One of the world’s most respected film composers, whose soundtracks have been used in blockbusters such as Moulin Rouge and Elizabeth, is to address an audience in Aberdeen.
Craig Armstrong will take to the chair for the University of Aberdeen’s prestigious Director’s Cut programme, now in its third series.
His expressive and moving soundtracks have been the keystone to such films as Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge!, for which he won a Golden Globe for Best Original Score, Love Actually and Ray, which netted him a Grammy Award.
More recently, he has penned music for World Trade Center, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, and Marvel's The Incredible Hulk.
Armstrong has also released several albums of original music, as well as working with artists such as Hole, Massive Attack, Madonna, Björk and U2.
He will be at the University of Aberdeen on Wednesday (December 2) for the in conversation style event with BBC presenter Janice Forsyth, at King’s College Conference Centre at 6pm.
A handful of tickets remain for the free session and booking is essential on 01224 273874 or through the website www.abdn.ac.uk/directorscut
In tandem with the event, Cineworld at Union Square is screening Moulin Rouge and Elizabeth on Thursday December 3, and is offering a special 2 for 1 ticket promotion to Director's Cut attendees.
Armstrong will follow in the footsteps of some of the biggest names of stage and screen when he adds Director’s Cut to his list of credits.
On November 23 actor Simon Callow, famous for his roles in Four Weddings and a Funeral and A Room With a View, among many others, took the chair for a booked-out event which saw audience members queuing several hours before doors opened to ensure the best seats in the house.
The Director’s Cut cast already includes world-famous naturalist, broadcaster and author, Sir David Attenborough, Chilean director Raul Ruiz, and the great English filmmaker Nicolas Roeg, who all appeared in the inaugural series.
For Series 2, the University welcomed James Bond director Guy Hamilton, Scottish film director David Mackenzie and documentary maker Jane Treays, among other leading names.
Dr Alan Marcus, Head of Film and Visual Culture, University of Aberdeen said: “Craig Armstrong is one of the world's leading film composers, and we are delighted not only that he is Scottish, but also able to join our third series of the Director's Cut.
“We have a terrific season of guests planned for this strand, and are pleased to have the BBC recording the events, Cineworld arranging special screenings at their new Union Square multiplex and Scottish Screen hosting the free reception which follows each event.
“Craig Armstrong is a hugely talented and versatile composer, as exemplified by his imaginative scores for Baz Luhrman's 'Romeo + Juliet' (1996) and Oliver Stone's 'World Trade Center' (2008).”