Published: October 27, 2009

Terry Gilliam's Real Life Film

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Terry Gilliam turned his past into a fantasy world in his latest film.

The director has revealed he drew from experiences in his own life to create the magical world his new film 'The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus' is based around.

He told Britain's Clash magazine: "I was just trying to remember my life and that's what came up.

"All the things I liked and all the things that interested me... well, not all the things but at least the ones near home."

Terry Gilliam's real life film

The 68-year-old filmmaker enjoyed giving the grander parts of Britain, including much of London, a new look as his storyline took to the big screen.

He said: "I thought it would be nice to be free enough to play with all the things I was interested in that were halfway decent. London became a nice backdrop."

The film gained infamy last year when the lead actor, Heath Ledger, died unexpectedly of an overdose during filming.

Heath's role was completed by his friends Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell. Terry admits it was the team effort of the trio which inspired him to complete the movie.

He said: "The cast and I were sitting there having dinner and I said, 'I can't put 'A Terry Gilliam Film' on this.' We all agreed that 'Heath Ledger And Friends' would be perfect."