edward ii (derek jarman, 1991)

derek jarman’s new queer cinema classic offers a postmodern take on christopher marlowe’s elizabethan drama. pleasure-seeking king edward ii sets the stage for a palace revolt by taking an ambitious lover (andrew tiernan), who uses his favor in bed to wield political influence—sending the pair from the throne to a terminal torture dungeon. this landmark of gay cinema features an incredible performance from jarman muse tilda swinton as edward’s spurned queen isabella and a rare film appearance by singer annie lennox.