Wild Side | Through the Shattered Lens

4 Shots From 4 Films is just what it says it is, 4 shots from 4 of our favorite films. As opposed to the reviews and recaps that we usually post, 4 Shots From 4 Films lets the visuals do the talking!

86 years ago, Donald Cammell was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. The son of a friend and biographer of the infamous Aleister Crowley, Cammell grew up surrounded by bohemians, artists, and magicians. After getting his start as a painter and establishing himself as a mainstay of “swinging London,” Cammell pursued a career as a screenwriter and director.

Cammell only completed a total of four films, all of which walked the very thin line between brilliance and pretension. All four of them have since developed strong cult following but were considered to be financial and critical disappointments when first released. As a result, Cammell had a difficult time getting anyone to back the majority of his projects. Cammell also had the misfortune to get involved with Marlon Brando during the latter’s mercurial period. Brando commissioned Cammell to write and direct at least two films for him before losing interest just before shooting was set to begin. Frustrated with both his life and his career, Cammell shot himself in 1996. He reportedly survived for 45-minutes after shooting himself and he spent that time recording his thoughts on life and dying. Though Cammell died in relative obscurity, his films have since been rediscovered and reevaluated. His legacy lives on.

4 Shots From 4 Films