On Tuesday 18 May join us in conversation with Vikram Jayanti, Oscar-winning film maker.

Oscar-winning Indian-American filmmaker Vikram Jayanti is known for feature documentary portraits of cultural icons, from the exceptional to the notorious including Abraham Lincoln, Muhammad Ali, Britney Spears, Garry Kasparov, Phil Spector and Uri Geller.

In a lifelong career of making award-winning cinematic documentary films, Vikram has uncovered the inner psychodramas of the great, the good and the downright monstrous.  Even so, some of the very most extraordinary material hasn’t made the final cut.  

He will discuss what happened behind the scenes of what really goes into shaping the stories he seeks out with films including When We Were Kings, The Agony and the Ecstasy of Phil Spector, James Ellroy’s Fest of Death, Game Ove – Kasparov and the Machine, The Man who Bought Mustique, The Secret Life of Uri Geller – Psychic Spy?, Rolf Harris Paints his Dream, Britney Spears Saved My Life!, Born Into Brothels, The Darkness of Abraham Lincoln, and more.

Currently a Film Studies tutor at University College London, he will discuss his life and work.

Sir John Soane used Pitzhanger Manor to entertain his wide circle of friends, celebrities and potential clients, bringing together opera singers and politicians, academics and poets at eclectic dinners. Inspired by this spirit of Pitzhanger as a forum for interesting encounters and enlightening debate, Pitzhanger Perspectives is a new series of conversations with contemporary thinkers. This first set of talks will be in conversation with Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, Chair of Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery Trust. 

Future discussions in the series are with:

• Rory Stewart OBE