Close-up: Marek Losey

After a decade making TV ads, he's finally gone into the family business

Mike Higgins
Sunday 07 June 2009 00:00 BST
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In Cannes last month, Marek Losey introduced a new print of Accident, one of the most celebrated films by his illustrious grandfather Joseph. Finally, after two decades in the film industry, the latest scion of the Losey line felt he was in the family business. "I was able to stand there and say a few words in my own right as a director. Two years ago, I would have felt I was just there as his grandson."

Why does the 37-year-old only now feel he's a proper Losey? The Hide, his debut feature film, an adaptation of Tim Whitnall's stage play, is set to be unveiled at the ICA.

In a hide on the Isle of Sheppey, the peace of a bird-watcher (played by Alex McQueen, the bullied UN diplomat of In the Loop) is disturbed by the arrival of a distracted stranger (Phil Campbell).

As Marek has said of the film, "One is a killer and one is there to kill himself..." It's an impressive, some might say "Loseyan", two-hander, but the director is wary of comparisons: "If it doesn't stand up, I'll get torn apart."

That's why, during a successful 14-year career of making TV ads, Marek was "reluctant" to make a feature film. "There's not a director who can compare to Joe's work," he says, adding: "[His films] ask a lot of you, and often leave a bitter taste in your mouth."

Relations between the Losey fathers and sons were often tempestuous, he reveals, but there are no hard feelings: for the rest of this month, Marek will be helping with the BFI centenary season of his grandfather's films at London's British Film Institute.

'The Hide' is part of the New British Cinema season, running until 30 June, at the ICA, London SW1. For more information: ica.org.uk

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