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Brown Girl Begins (12A) (LC) + Pre-recorded introduction by director Sharon Lewis

Journeys across Afro-Futurism

,Barbican Cinema 2
Brown Girl Begins

This Canadian science fiction film imagines a future of continued oppression for the poor, centring a female protagonist who must resurrect Caribbean spirits to assist with a revolution. 

Director Sharon Lewis actively constructs an Afro-Futurist fable, following Ti-Jeanne, who finds herself trapped in an unfamiliar, sinister world against her will. Reluctantly pressed into taking a stand, Ti-Jeanne must use her powers as a priestess to resurrect distant Caribbean spirits to save her people, while attempting to survive the possession ritual that killed her mother. 

The film is an adaptation of sorts of Brown Girl in the Ring, a 1998 novel by Jamaican-Canadian writer Nalo Hopkinson. The novel contains Afro-Caribbean culture with themes of folklore and magical realism, which are transposed into Brown Girl Begins. The film becomes a prequel to the novel, re-imagining the book's reflections on seer traditions and obeah: a system of spiritual healing and justice-making practices developed among enslaved West Africans.

Tagged with: Cinema Journeys across Afro-Futurism

Canada 2019 Dir Sharon Lewis 

LC = Local classification

Barbican Cinema 2

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 across the road to the venue. 

Address
Beech 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.