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Leila and the Wolves (15*)

Part of: Nevertheless, She Persisted

A still from Leila and the Wolves

This beautiful and visionary film by Heiny Srour tells the story of Arab women through several decades of the 20th century, from a distinctly feminist perspective. 

Srour’s film is a masterpiece of filmmaking, mixing together archival footage, fairy-tale storytelling, aesthetically bold imagery,and dramatisations of situations faced by women in Lebanon and Palestine, from early twentieth century to the beginning of the 1980s. 

Women’s history, politics and voices are placed within Arabic culture, political struggles and traditions, providing a counterbalance to narratives that all too often are told only from a male perspective, relegating women’s part in history to the margins, if acknowledged at all. The stories told here are fierce and wry and shocking sometimes; they are essential viewing. 

Screened none too often, this is an opportunity to see an artistically complex, rewarding and unabashedly feminist piece of filmmaking.

Lebanon/UK 1984 Dir Heiny Srour 93 min

*This film is locally classified by Barbican Cinema 

Please arrive promptly at the advertised start time

Proof of ID may be requested on entry to films, in compliance with BBFC ratings

This film is F-Rated. The F-Rating is a classification for any film which is directed by a  woman, and/or written by a woman.

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illustration of shirley chisholm

Watch: Nevertheless, She Persisted

Inspired by the 100-year anniversary of the first women gaining the right to vote in the UK, we present a timely season of feature films and documentaries that look at women’s rebellious and often dangerous strides towards equality.

Barbican Cinema 2