About Time – Once Upon a Time (1985)

Once Upon a Time was filmed entirely in different spaces in and around John Berger’s house in the Haute Savoie in France. It’s a moving and unusual meditation on our experience of time, as revealed through a careful selection of contrasting and thought-provoking time-centred ‘stories’, both old and new. And whether written by himself or others, all were read by John and beautifully edited, using only the filmed images of things found inside the house in books or on the walls, or outside in the surrounding countryside and nearest town. Directors: Michael Dibb, Christopher Rawlence. Writer: John Berger (narrative script). Stars: John Berger, Beverly Bancroft (uncredited). Composers: Jean-Marc Jacquier, Michael Ratledge & Karl Jenkins (Title music). Cinematographer: Alastair Cameron.