Malcolm Gilby, aged 90, passed away at Sunderland Royal Hospital on January 2, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Silksworth and having attended Ryhope Grammar School, Gilby was cherished as a devoted husband to his late wife, Gladys. He is remembered as a truly special father to his four children—Paul and Fran, Ian and Elise, Jackie and Steve, and Alison—who described him as someone who will be deeply missed from their lives. A loving brother to Margaret, Valerie, and the late Joyce, Gilby also leaves behind cherished memories as a grandfather to Lauren, Alice, and Harry.
The funeral service for Malcolm Gilby is set to take place at Sunderland Crematorium on February 4, 2025, at 3:00 PM. The family requests no flowers but instead encourages donations to the Durham Wildlife Trust, specifying donations in lieu of flowers for JOE'S POND.
Meanwhile, Malcolm Le Grice, who recently passed away at the age of 84, was renowned as one of the leading figures behind British avant-garde film. Over his 60-year career, he created more than 70 films, continually striving to break free from the conventional filmmaking practices and fully explore cinema's conceptual possibilities. Le Grice's early ambitions lay as a painter, but he made the decisive choice to embrace the world of film.
Known for eschewing commercial interests, Le Grice’s work often engaged with what he termed 'structural cinema', asserting it was about the awareness of film as a physical entity rather than just narrative-driven storytelling. "I didn’t care for the way in which films were thought of as a product," Le Grice once remarked, reflecting his artistic approach emphasizing conceptual engagement over box office success.
Turning away from traditional illusionism—where film portrayed events occurring at another time or place—Le Grice's films illuminated the processes of filmmaking itself. His influential ideas and innovative techniques allowed viewers to experience each film as more than just entertainment but as art, presenting the tools and techniques of filmmaking as integral components of the spectacle. This unique vision firmly placed Le Grice at the forefront of avant-garde cinema.
Throughout his impressive career, he collaborated with notable figures and institutions, including director Sam Wanamaker and Twentieth Century Fox, showcasing the adaptability of film to explore boundaries of experience. Le Grice’s philosophy consistently revolved around the physicality of film itself, proving to others the abstract potential waiting to be tapped within the medium.
Through their distinct paths, Malcolm Gilby and Malcolm Le Grice’s legacies reveal the strength of creativity and family ties in unique ways. Both men are mourned by families and communitites alike, their contributions and memories ensuring they will be remembered long after their time has passed.