David Gilmour's powerful LIVE AT THE CIRCUS MAXIMUS, ROME Interview by Petra Mason

Gilmour on stage photographed by Gavin Elder. Artwork by Julia Soboleva.

On the cusp of the release of the profoundly moving global art cinema experience LIVE AT THE CIRCUS MAXIMUS, ROME we spoke to director Gavin Elder about his 23 + years of creative partnerships with fine artists and muscians including Shepard Fairey, Nile Rogers and Mark Ronson, cinematic art museum shoots with Duran Duran to directing longtime collaborator David Gilmour's masterpiece LIVE AT THE CIRCUS MAXIMUS, ROME.

For the uninitiated, guitarist, singer and songwriter David Gilmour is also a member of rock band Pink Floyd, the highly acclaimed British band that he joined in 1967. 

LIVE AT THE CIRCUS MAXIMUS, ROME, was not only filmed at a historic location but in doing so made history, the sublime spectacle filmed against the backdrop of the ancient Roman ruins at the end of summer last year. 

PM: How did LIVE AT THE CIRCUS MAXIMUS, ROME kick off?

GE: A massive amount of planning went into the Rome shoot. I was very keen to create something special at the Circus Maximus, where chariot races were held in the days of the Roman Empire.

PM: You have been filming Gilmour for close to a decade. Tell me more.

GE: Back in 2016 when we shot David's concert film, Live at Pompeii, flaming torches were placed around the amphitheatre creating a dynamic atmosphere. The venue in Rome was much larger than the Pompeii amphitheatre and I wanted to create a sense of place, a device to frame the venue.  After much discussion with the Rome authorities we were given permission to uplight the trees surrounding the venue. These lights helped to contain the space and hold the audience. 

PM: David strikes me as the consummate professional. How does he work?

GE: David is involved in the initial planning and then wants everyone to get on with their roles in the production and deliver an amazing show. We shot over three nights at the end of September 2024, we had fantastic weather the first 2 nights and then torrential rain the third. Parts of the chariot circuit were flooded and tankers were brought in to pump the water out. The show was delayed and we were nervously watching weather apps to see if the storm would clear, and then it did !. The show went ahead and we captured a phenomenal performance.

Gilmour’s fifth solo album, LUCK AND STRANGE, hit #1 in the UK, Germany, Poland, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Portugal and Austria.

Sold-out nights at Circus Maximus in Rome followed by the same at London's Royal Albert Hall and sold-out evenings in Los Angeles, ending with five sold-out nights at Madison Square Garden in New York.

THE LUCK AND STRANGE CONCERTS and LIVE AT THE CIRCUS MAXIMUS, ROME is the best, and only way to experience the master of his art on stage.

Full screening details for both IMAX and standard format cinemas available at davidgilmour.film. 

LIVE AT THE CIRCUS MAXIMUS will also be released on 2 Blu-Ray and 3 DVD sets with bonus unseen footage and the full THE LUCK AND STRANGE CONCERTS mixed in 5.1 and Atmos (Blu-Ray only) from 17th October.