The Monk

“I photographed this cover as part of its theatrical launch at Cannes. It is very dramatic and was shot as a three part photocomposite (before photoshop). The front bit is my business partner as the monk - the female below is the famous page three model, Gail Mckenna (Samantha Bond agency) and it was shot in a London studio. The flaming background was shot on the farm where I lived - we set fire to a load of old fencing - the image is heavily filtered, red and magenta for maximum effect. The face was from Paul McGann's advertising for the film - removing the existing face and combining the elements into the photocomposite image was by Dennis Novak and done on 10x8" transparency using the Unichrome method. Paul McGann's face is too small for the hood. I also understand he did not like the cover. We handled the entire theatrical release - brochures, posters photography, the lot. This film was among several at that time and followed a radical genre that called into question the matter of celibacy in the priest hood and how repression of instinct can produce a dramatic and powerful unconscious shadow. In a way it foreshadowed the terrible revelations about widespread abuse in the church that was to come to light later. The main conflict is predictable - a celibate priest fighting his instincts love for a woman - modern version of Abelard and Heloise with a modern and highly symbolic outcome.”