If Beale Street Could Talk + ScreenTalk with Dr Kesewa John, Barrister Danielle Manson and Barry Jenkins (via Zoom), short intro by Clive Nwonka
The Devil Finds Work: James Baldwin on Film
We kick off this cinema season with a screening of Barry Jenkins' adaptation of James Baldwin's novel, with a ScreenTallk with Barry Jenkins (via Zoom).
We kick off this cinema season with a screening of Barry Jenkins' adaptation of James Baldwin's novel, as an entry point to the themes of Black injustice, the Black family and love.
This programme begins with the screening of If Beale Street Could Talk, the 2018 adaptation of Baldwin’s 1974 novel of the same name.
A non-linear, Harlem-set story of a young relationship developing against the backdrop of the racial politics of 1970’s America. Opening the programme with the screening of Barry Jenkins' Oscar nominated adaptation of Baldwin’s canonical novel on Black injustice, the Black family and love, the screening allows for a familiar entry point into Baldwin’s cinematic universe through discussions on Jenkins' own Baldwin influences across his film work, and his specific adaptation of Baldwin’s novel.
2018 USA dir Barry Jenkins 114 min
HoH Captions: This film is captioned and the ScreenTalk will be live-captioned.
This is a past event. Subscribe to our newsletters to hear about upcoming events
Booking fees
£1.50 booking fee per online/phone transaction.
No fee when tickets are booked in person.
Booking fees are per transaction and not per ticket. If your booking contains several events the highest booking fee will apply. The booking fee may be reduced on certain events. Members do not pay booking fees.
This project is part of the ‘James Baldwin and Britain’ project (2024-2027), led by Douglas Field, Kennetta Hammond Perry and Rob Waters, with thanks for the generous support by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
The film programme is curated by Dr Clive Chijioke Nwonka.
Biographies
Dr Kesewa John is a Lecturer in Black British History at Goldsmiths, University of London where she is convenor of the MA Black British History, and co-coordinates History on Film, a series of free monthly film screenings run by the history department at Goldsmiths exploring history, historic moments and how they’re represented in cinema in vibrant post-film discussions with guest panelists and attendees in conversation together. Every other month the History on Film screening is Black history themed. Kesewa John is a historian focused on the overlaps between Black radicalism, intellectual history, and gender. Her teaching and research explores liberation movements, and are attentive to transatlantic, multilingual linkages between Afro-Caribbean activists and the evolution and circulation of Black radical thought.
Danielle Manson is a barrister at Matrix Chambers where she practises primarily in serious crime, protest law and inquests and inquiries. She has appeared in cases of murder, attempted murder, rape, serious violence, fraud, the sale and supply of drugs and firearms offences as well regularly appearing in the Court of Appeal of England and Wales. She has particular expertise in representing children and young people and previously sat on JUSTICE’s racial disparity in the Youth Justice system working party.
Danielle also has experience of Public Inquiries, having previously worked on the Undercover Policing Inquiry and the Covid Inquiry, as well as representing bereaved families at inquests into the death of an individual at the hands of the state.
In addition, Danielle is a member of the Art Not Evidence coalition and is currently working on a campaign for legislative reform that would preclude creative forms of expression (such as song lyrics) being admissible as evidence in criminal proceedings.
Give a year of art, music, film and theatre
Cinema 2
Location
Barbican Cinema 1 is located within the main Barbican building on Level -2. Head to Level G and walk towards the Lakeside Terrace where you’ll find stairs and lifts to take you down to the venue floor.
Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS
Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.
Location
Barbican Cinema 2 & 3 are located on Beech Street, a short walk from the Barbican’s Silk Street entrance. From Silk Street, you’ll see a zebra crossing that will take you over the road to the venue.
Address
Beech Street, London
EC2Y 8DS
Nearby public transport
We are within walking distance from a number of London Underground stations, the closest being Barbican, St Paul’s and Moorgate. The nearest train stations are Liverpool Street and Farringdon. Bus Route 153 runs directly past the Barbican along Chiswell Street
Car and bicycle parking
We have free bicycle spaces and paid car parking spaces available
We’ve plenty of places for you to relax and replenish, from coffee and cake to wood-fired pizzas and full pre-theatre menus
Access
Level access from the Pit floor foyer only to the two boxes (see Mobility below). All other seats lead off stepped aisles.
Mobility
Two boxes at the rear of the auditorium each have space for one wheelchair user and a companion. Please book early and ask for these seats.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs may be taken into the cinema – please tell us when booking, to ensure your seat has enough space. If you prefer, you may leave your dog with a member of the foyer staff during the performance.
Hearing facility
There is an induction loop in the auditorium. You can use this by adjusting your hearing aid to the ‘T’ setting.
For more access information, please visit our Accessibility section.
Access
Cinemas 2 & 3 are located at Beech Street, a short walk from the Barbican Centre’s main Silk Street entrance. There are a couple of steep, dropped kerbs and an incline to negotiate between the two sites. Level access from Beech Street.
Mobility
Each auditorium has three permanent wheelchair spaces (two in the third row and one in the front row) and 153 fixed seats with capacity for a further three spaces in the front row. Access to each auditorium is up a ramp. There are also a number of seats with step-free access.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs may be taken into the cinema – please tell us when booking to ensure your seat has enough space. If you prefer, you may leave your dog with a member of the foyer staff during the performance.
Hearing facility
An infrared system for hard of hearing customers is provided in each auditorium; headsets or neck loops can be collected from foyer staff. The ticket desk counter is fitted with an induction loop.
For more access information, please visit our Accessibility section.
