Draft:Michelle Heighway

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Michelle Heighway is a British filmmaker, international photographer, and writer currently residing in West Yorkshire. She was raised in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, and studied at Huddersfield University. Heighway is best known for her work as the director of the critically acclaimed feature documentary Energy: A Documentary about Damo Suzuki, which explores the life and work of the German musician Damo Suzuki, formerly of the band Can.

Early Life and Career

Heighway developed an interest in film, photography, and the arts from a young age while growing up in Huddersfield. Over the years, she has become known for her unique focus on outsider artists and free thinkers, exploring unconventional and eccentric lives through both her film and photography. Heighway's interest in these themes is evident in her documentary work, particularly Mr. Somebody, which focuses on Jake Mangle-Wurzel, known as the UK's greatest eccentric.

Filmography

Heighway’s most notable work to date is the feature-length documentary Energy: A Documentary about Damo Suzuki, which premiered at Doc 'n Roll Festival 2022 in London, where it received widespread acclaim for its exploration of the life and musical journey of Damo Suzuki. The film was featured in The Wire and The Guardian, which praised its insightful portrayal of Suzuki’s contributions to music, particularly his work with the avant-garde krautrock band Can. Heighway's ability to capture the spirit of Suzuki’s artistry, alongside his personal struggles, was a key highlight of the film's success.

Heighway’s first feature documentary, Mr. Somebody (2014), paints a melancholic portrait of a self-styled eccentric, offering a poignant exploration of the subject's life. The film screened at the Leeds International Film Festival and Sheffield Documentary Festival, where it was critically acclaimed for highlighting the melancholic yet captivating style Heighway employs in her documentaries. The documentary explores the odd lifestyle and free-thinking philosophy of Jake Mangle-Wurzel, known as the UK's greatest eccentric, and serves as a reflection of Heighway’s interest in eccentric and unconventional individuals.

Heighway’s documentary work has also included collaborations with musicians and artists from a wide range of genres.

Personal Life Heighway currently resides in West Yorkshire. She is passionate about exploring themes of personal growth, outsider art, and free thought through her artistic work. Outside of her creative projects, Heighway has been involved in the arts community, mentoring emerging filmmakers.

References

References "Having limits is boring: experimental survivor Damo Suzuki on Can, cancer and krautrock," The Guardian, link.

"Filmmaker Michelle Heighway on her journey with musical maverick Damo Suzuki," The Yorkshire Post, link.

"Feature-length documentary: Can & Damo Suzuki," The Wire, link.

"Jake Mangle-Wurzel: Michelle Heighway," Examiner Live, link.

"Damo Suzuki Documentary Trailer," The Quietus, link.

"Michelle Heighway’s Mr. Somebody paints a melancholic picture of a self-styled eccentric," Top 10 Films, link.

"Damo Suzuki: I just don’t like to have any kind of a goal," The Yorkshire Post, link.

"Watch Trailer for New Damo Suzuki Documentary Energy," Uncut, link.

"New Damo Suzuki Documentary Crowdfunding Campaign Launches," Louder Than War, link.

"Damo Suzuki Documentary Energy," Amass, link.