bill forsyth was a favoured director of sir david puttnam during puttnam's term as columbia studios chairman. columbia released the film "being human" (1994) directed by bill forsyth, starring robin williams and featuring john turturro. the film was about a man developing throughout his life and had scenes from pre-history, ancient rome, 16th-century spanish conquistadors and modern day new york city. the film was not released fully due to bad reviews. after this experience bill forsyth was put off making films.