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Broken English

The Barbican today announces a line-up of very special music guests, who will perform live in the Barbican Hall to mark the UK & Irish cinema release of Broken English: a never seen before career-spanning portrait of the late Marianne Faithfull, directed by BAFTA nominees Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard (20,000 Days on Earth).

The newly announced line-up includes Jarvis Cocker, Beth Orton, Anna Calvi and Rufus Wainwright, the latter who also recently took to the stage for the film’s US premiere at Sundance Film Festival. Following a preview screening of the critically acclaimed film in the Barbican’s concert hall, the artists will take to the stage to cover Faithfull’s songs, and award-winning actor Samantha Morton will read a poem from Marianne Faithfull’s album ‘She Walks in Beauty.

The celebrated line-up of singers will be backed by the film’s house band led by music director Rob Ellis (PJ Harvey) and featuring Ed Harcourt, Adrian Utley (Portishead), Colin Greenwood (Radiohead) and Anna Phoebe.

This special event takes place ahead of the film’s UK and Ireland theatrical cinema release on 20 March 2026.

Made with Marianne’s full support and a cast led by Tilda Swinton (The Room Next Door, Asteroid City) and George MacKay (Cry To Heaven, Femme, 1917), Broken English is an intimate and unflinching exploration of a fractured yet unbreakable life shaped by fame, creative genius and relentless public scrutiny. A genre-defying portrait of resilience and rebellion, a final fearless declaration, Marianne Faithfull’s defiant swan song.

In addition to her last recorded performance, Broken English showcases intimate contributions from her friends and longtime collaborators, including Nick Cave, Warren Ellis, Courtney Love, Suki Waterhouse, Beth Orton, and Jehnny Beth. Additional cast includes Zawe Ashton (The Marvels), Calvin Demba (Supacell), and Sophia Di Martino (Loki). 

Receiving its world premiere (Official Selection Out-of-Competition) at Venice International Film Festival 2025, UK Premiere at the 69th BFI London Film Festival, North American Premiere at Sundance Film Festival and recent sell-out screenings at IDFA 2025, the film will also screen at Glasgow Film Festival and Dublin International Film Festival this Spring, ahead of its UK & Ireland release.  

Produced by the Barbican

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