Mark Forstater's Blog | Reflections in an age of anxiety

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I am a film, TV, radio, audio and games producer as well as the author of seven non-fiction books. My most famous films are Monty Python and The Holy Grail and XTRO. My newest film is called SWIPE FEVER directed by Nathan Neuman my business partner in Dreambird Studios. I have also made thirty other films in a career that has lasted for over 45 years.

I have written seven books and audios on philosophy and spirituality, including my latest – I Survived A Secret Nazi Extermination Camp and The 7th Python. Other titles include  The Spiritual Teachings of Yoga, The Spiritual Teachings of The Tao, The Spiritual Teachings of  Marcus Aurelius and The Living Wisdom of Socrates. I have also produced an audio of the famous Chinese classic the Tao Te Ching, read by the late Sir Nigel Hawthorne.

I was born in Philadelphia, USA, and moved to England in 1964 to attend Manchester University. After graduating from Temple University, Philadelphia in 1965 I returned to the UK and have lived in London ever since. After attending the London Film School I began making films in 1969.

My interest in spiritual matters began in the early 1970s when I was introduced to the works of Confucius, Mencius, Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu. I was immediately inspired by Chinese philosophy, in particular Taoism. I am a member of the British Taoist Association, a group which aims to bring the authentic teachings of Taoism to the West.

My self-cultivation practices include meditation, yoga, tai chi, as well as massage and self-massage. The Age Of Anxiety is the first Guided Meditation that I have produced. I have been married twice, have four daughters and three grandsons.

20 Comments Add your own

  • 1. sonya  |  April 24, 2014 at 1:01 pm

    Hi, I would like to receive new posts from the blog to my email address? Thank you. 🙂

    Reply

  • 2. arielbakall  |  February 28, 2015 at 2:16 pm

    Hi, I would like to receive new posts from the blog to my email address? Thank you.

    Reply

  • 3. Miniurl.us  |  April 26, 2015 at 6:41 pm

    whoah this blog is great i love studying your articles.
    Stay up the great work! You recognize, a lot of individuals arre hunting round for this information,
    you could help them greatly.

    Reply

    • 4. markforstater  |  December 20, 2015 at 7:37 pm

      Thanks for your comment. It is much appreciated.

      Reply

  • 5. Richard  |  October 13, 2015 at 6:56 pm

    Hey, when’s your new book: “The 7th Python: A Twat’s Tale” out?

    Reply

    • 6. markforstater  |  October 16, 2015 at 4:57 pm

      Hi Richard- November 26th

      Reply

      • 7. Richard  |  October 16, 2015 at 5:37 pm

        Will it be available via Amazon?

  • 8. markforstater  |  October 16, 2015 at 5:52 pm

    Yes and also signed copies on our website (when it is completed)

    Reply

    • 9. Richard  |  October 16, 2015 at 7:04 pm

      Excellent stuff—I’m going to buy a copy. I saw you on the Holy Grail (40th anniversary) extras when the BBC film-night interviewed you all in the mid ’70’s making the film! When I heard your story and all the circumstances of what happened I was shocked!

      Hey, and I know you’re a busy man, but when you’re free you should check my Youtube Channel out. Link—-> https://www.youtube.com/c/MedievalRichard … I travel up and down the country in all kinds of weather documenting my trips on Castles, Manor houses, Churches, Minsters, Parks & Forests. I am indeed a Medieval/castle enthusiast.

      You might like it all or not lol… Anywho,I’m gathering quite a following at this time and if you have any filming hints or ideas you could tell me that could be great (at your request). 🙂 An idea for now or involvement in the future who knows. (Pushing the boat out I know but hey, if you don’t, where do you get in life—You went to Italy for a film conference to why I say recently)

      Best,
      Rich (MR)

      Reply

      • 10. markforstater  |  October 19, 2015 at 10:25 pm

        Hi Richard

        Thanks for the note. I will check out your Youtube channel.

        Best

        Mark

      • 11. Richard  |  October 21, 2015 at 10:50 am

        Thank you.

  • 12. markforstater  |  October 21, 2015 at 4:29 pm

    Thanks for pre-buying the book. I know you will enjoy it. Pass the word around.

    Reply

  • 13. Rob and Annie West  |  December 30, 2015 at 3:19 pm

    Well done, Happy New !!

    Reply

  • 14. Katya Kan  |  November 9, 2016 at 4:30 pm

    Dear Mark Forstater,

    I found your e-mail contact in the Cannes Festival Marché du Film Handbook. I also connected with you via linkedin, I believe from my profile “Katya Kan”.

    I am writing to you, as I’m looking for PA/3rd AD work in London in Film and Television, and was wondering whether your company is hiring at the moment.

    In addition, I am also searching for editors, VFX color correctors and film distributors to employ for 2 indie films to I’m working on.

    One film is a documentary about the pagan tradition called “Wicca” with well-known subjects, such as Janet Farrar, who wrote “A Witches’ Bible: The Complete Witches’ Handbook”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janet_Farrar

    Janet Farrar – Wikipedia
    en.wikipedia.org
    Janet Farrar (born Janet Owen on 24 June 1950) is a British teacher and author of books on Wicca and Neopaganism. Along with her two husbands, Stewart Farrar and …

    The other project is a feature film about the notion of memory, directed in Russian with subtitles and shot in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyztan, Central Asia, with very remote, exquisite rare locations.

    I am also had one of my films, shot in Northern California with a 16mm bolex and entitled “Hotel Mnemosyne” screened at the Cannes Short Film Corner in 2014: http://sub.festival-cannes.fr/SfcCatalogue/MovieDetail/3d44f268-513a-48a3-b78a-446a31bc896f

    As a result, I was wondering whether you have any suggestions for the above-mentioned inquires.

    Based in London, I have just completed a course at Pinewood Studios and have experience working in the film industry in Los Angeles.

    Having attached my CV to this e-mail, I look forward to hearing from you soon.

    Best regards,

    Katya Kan

    Reply

  • 15. Sarah mcconnell  |  November 29, 2017 at 10:43 pm

    I am reading your book spiritual teaching of yoga, training to teach yoga. I am writing an essay on the 1st four chapters. Appreciate any helpful tips. Sarah

    Reply

  • 16. cook meal delivery service  |  November 5, 2020 at 3:20 pm

    Its like you learn my thoughts! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I believe that you simply could do with some to pressure the message house a bit, but other than that, that is magnificent blog. A great read. I’ll certainly be back.

    Reply

  • 17. Rory Green  |  February 15, 2021 at 6:14 pm

    Hi Mark,
    I grew up on your street in Philadelphia and believe I have a picture of your mom that I took when she was living there on Williams Avenue In the 1980s. I was younger than you so you I’m sure you do not remember me. I’ll send you a picture if I can figure out how to do this on Twitter! Regards, Rory Green

    Reply

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