Minghella’s death marks end of great film-making partnership

The sudden death of the British film director Anthony Minghella, reported here yesterday, has caused particular sadness among his colleagues at Mirage Enterprises, the film company where he was a partner with the American director and actor, Sydney Pollack. The two directors collaborated as producers on several films - last year's Michael Clayton was one - and helped on each other's projects.

"He was interested in the magic," Pollack said after hearing of his friend's death. "Nowadays, everybody making movies wants to get the clothes off fast and the guns out quick, he was just the opposite. He was interested in the poetry, lavishing the viewer with story, and scope and richness. Look at what you got for your $12 ticket with Anthony."

He added: "There was a real authenticity to his work. He made movies about the world that we live in, where stuff happened that no one could have anticipated."

Sadly, Pollack himself has not been well in recent months: the director of such films as Out of Africa and The Firm had to step down from directing Recount - about the contested 2000 presidential election - because of illness. His place was taken by Jay Roach, director of Meet the Parents.