FAMED Forest film director Ken Russell's life and films will be celebrated at a festival in Lymington next week.

The Malt will screen six of his best movies as they host the Ken Russell Film Festival in honour of the award winning director who was born in Southampton and lived in the Forest until his death in 2011.

Isadora Duncan, the 1966 tale of the outrageous life of the American dancer in the 1920s, will open the event on Tuesday

Telling the story of the death of silent screen actor Rudolph Valentino, Valentino will grace the screen later that day.

Dante's Inferno, which starred Oliver Reed in 1967, will be screened on Wednesday, followed by Women in Love, another Reed film about the battle of the sexes.

Audiences can also enjoy The Debussy Film, about an actor who identifies with the composer he is playing.

Tommy, which starred Roger Daltrey and Oliver Reed in 1975 and told the story of a deaf and blind boy who became a master pinball player, will act as a finale to the festival on Friday and Saturday.

The event will be attended by Ken's wife and creative partner Lisi Tribble Russell.

Ken was known for his pioneering work in television and film and for his flamboyant and controversial style.

For details, visit thelymingtoncentre.co.uk or call 01590 672337.