Director James Strong’s Heaven 17: The Last Temptation will receive its World Premiere at Sheffield DocFest this Friday (June 12) at the Lyceum Theatre, followed by a Q+A and exclusive performance from the band.
Heaven 17: The Last Temptation follows the Sheffield synthpop legends on what might be their last ever tour, as advanced years, declining ticket sales and life on the road take their toll.
Across four gigs in four cities, we explore Martyn Ware and Glenn Gregory’s historic friendship and how the band were formed from the breakup of The Human League. The doc charts the band’s roots in the Steel City, while looking at why Sheffield has produced some of the most iconic electronic acts of all time.
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On the way, they try to reconcile one of the most notorious moments in pop history – the breakup of the Human League, which sees the reunion of Phil Oakey and Martyn Ware, who have not spoken for thirty years. This is a candid, funny and heartwarming portrait of one of pop’s most iconic acts, as well as a love letter to the city that made them.
Director James Strong is an International Emmy and multiple Bafta award winning director/producer best known for his work on the multiple Bafta winning Mr Bates vs The Post Office (2024). Other credits include Fire Country (2023) The Suspect (2022) Vigil (2021) Crime (2021) Vanity Fair (2018) Stephen King’s 11-22-63 (2016) Doctor Who (2012) Downton Abbey (2013) Broadchurch (2013) and the feature film United (2011). His most recent film Words Of War starring Maxine Peake, Jason Isaacs and Ciaran Hinds was released in 2025.
He recently directed the pilot episode of CBS ratings hit Sherriff Country and is currently in preproduction on Majesty for ITV and CBS (2026).
Heaven 17: The Last Temptation, is directed by James Strong and stars Heaven 17 – Glenn Gregory, Martyn Ware, Florence Sabeva, Kelly Barnes and Rachel Meadowswith. The director of photography is Stewart Whelan with additional cinematography by Adrian O’Toole, Olly Driscoll, Kathleen Whelan and Charlie Clayton. Sound is by Richard Bentham, editing by Daren Tiley; archive producers are Helen Carr and Kathy Manners, music supervisor Catherine Grimes and it is produced by Charlie Clayton, David Willing with executive producer Orlando von Einsiedel.
BAFTA image: James Strong/Instagram
