Celebrated writer, producer and director Don Boyd has been described as a one-man film industry, and in the 1987 film Aria he brought together ten of the world's most creative and celebrated directors to create an exciting and wholly unique slice of cinematic history.

The directors – Robert Altman, Bruce Beresford, Jean-Luc Godard, Derek Jarman, Franc Roddam, Nicolas Roeg, Julien Temple, Ken Russell, Charles Sturridge and Bill Brydon – were each given the same brief: to choose a piece of opera music and create a visual representation of it. The result is violent, funny, erotic and poignant.

From a body-building Armide, to Tristian and Isolde in modern day Las Vegas and Verdi embroiled in a Californian sex farce, Aria transports the audience through the mediums of classical music and engaging short films in a remarkable collaborative effort. The film boasts an impressive cast that includes Tilda Swinton, John Hurt, Elizabeth Hurley, Bridget Fonda, Beverly D'Angelo and Geneviève Page, as well as music by Verdi, Puccini and Wagner, amongst others.

Newly restored and featuring a number of key extra features, Aria: Special Edition make its UK DVD debut courtesy of Second Sight Films on 15th June 2009 at the RRP of £19.99. Special features include:

• Composing Aria, a documentary featuring revealing interviews with those who worked behind the camera and behind the scenes;
• Commentary by producer Don Boyd;
• Original theatrical trailer;
• Stills gallery featuring the work of leading photographers David Bailey, Annie Leibovitz, Lord Snowdon and John Swannell.

There will also be a special screening at the National Film Theatre on 9th June 2009 followed by a Q&A with Don Boyd and some of the directors (to be confirmed). Check out www.bfi.org.uk for further details.