FILM PRODUCTION
Waris Hussein
Since Winning the EMMA Award
Waris Hussein is a British Indian Film and Television Director who has continued building on his groundbreaking career. Throughout the 2000s, he directed and worked on various projects, including high-profile productions such as 2007’s “The Man Who Would Be Queen”, a documentary about cross-dressing culture, and 2009’s “The Next Man”, which gained attention for exploring identity and social issues. Waris Hussein has been an essential figure in the media world, especially within the LGBTQ+ community. His work often tackles themes of self-discovery, culture, and societal norms.
In recent years, he has continued to direct, produce, and write for television, taking on projects that focus on the complexity of humanity. He also mentors and advocates for younger filmmakers, particularly those from marginalised backgrounds. Waris’ legacy in the entertainment industry is marked not only by his pioneering work in mainstream television but also by his unwavering commitment to diverse storytelling and the exploration of untold stories.
Background (Before 1999)
Waris Habibullah (Hussein) was born 1938 in Lucknow, British India, and spent most of his early years in Bombay. He came to the UK with his family in 1946, when his father was appointed to the Indian High Commission, which was operating India’s status in the imperial Commonwealth. Waris was educated at Clifton College and studied English literature at Queens’ College, Cambridge, where he directed several plays. After graduating in 1960, he joined the BBC to train as a director and changed his name from Habibullah to Hussein.
In 1963, he directed the first and fourth Doctor Who serials, An Unearthly Child and Marco Polo, and went on to direct many other TV serials such as 1974’s Notorious Woman and Shoulder to Shoulder, and 1978’s Edward and Mrs Simpson. Waris’ 1969 feature film A Touch of Love, starring Ian McKellen, entered the 19th Berlin International Film Festival. His other theatrically released films include 1971’s Melody, also known as S.W.A.L.K, 1972’s Henry VIII and His Six Wives and 1997’s Sixth Happiness.
