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Love Is the Devil: Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon (15) + Extended Introduction by actors Daniel Craig & Derek Jacobi and director John Maybury

Derek Jacobi and Daniel Craig give brilliant performances as artist Francis Bacon and his muse George Dyer in John Maybury’s haunting 1998 biopic.

The complex, often sado-masochistic relationship between Francis Bacon and George Dyer, a petty thief who breaks into his studio and becomes a lover and muse, is powerfully depicted in John Maybury’s intense, dark film. 

Maybury captures the seedy atmosphere of 1960s Soho, including the notorious Colony Room Club, an artists’ hangout presided over by the formidable Muriel Belcher (Tilda Swinton). The film itself evokes Bacon’s style through lighting and colour palette, and remains a potent study in power, sex and class. Jacobi gives one of his finest performances as the domineering artist while Craig beautifully depicts the troubled Dyer’s vulnerability. 

UK 1998 dir John Maybury 87 min

Cinema 1

Location
Barbican Cinema 1 is located within the main Barbican building on Level -2. Head to Level G and walk towards the Lakeside Terrace where you’ll find stairs and lifts to take you down to the venue floor.   

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.