Famed and remarkably prolific British photographer Martin Parr (b. 1952) is celebrated as one of the great chroniclers of the contradictions and absurdities of life and leisure in the age of late capitalism. Balancing a wry anthropological detachment with a brilliant artistic spontaneity and penchant for extreme color and close-up, Parr’s imagery of the everyday life brilliantly confounds the categories of art photography and journalism. While constant attention has been paid to Parr’s major photo projects, especially his studies of rural England such as The Last Resort and The Cost of Living, scant attention has been given to Parr’s work as an occasional documentary filmmaker whose films reveal his trained eye to be equally astute and insightful with the moving image as his iconic still photography. Offering a rare chance to view Parr’s documentary work, this program brings together two of Parr’s films—Think of England, his millennial made-for-BBC reflection on national identity and Britishness, and his latest film, Turkey and Tinsel, a deadpan and often hilarious observational documentary about Christmas in small town England.

We are thrilled to welcome Martin Parr to the Harvard Film Archive for a conversation about his filmmaking with renowned photographer and VES Professor Chris Killip. – Haden Guest

Martin Parr wil also join Paul Larosa in a conversation about The Photobook: A History, Volume III at 3pm on Saturday October 25 in the theater, followed by a book signing.