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The Mafu Cage (15)

The Final Girls present: Unholy Women

,Barbican Cinema 1
The Mafu Cage

A deeply underrated horror that looks at the twisted dynamic that emerges between an astronomer and her psychotic sister when they live in the large house they inherited.

A wildly compelling horror film that looks at the intense and unusual relationship between a psychotic woman and her sister. One of only three films directed by Karen Arthur, it’s an intense close-up on a co-dependent and toxic relationship.

Astronomer Ellen (Lee Grant) lives with her feral-like sister Cissy (Carol Kane) in the crumbling mansion left to them by their late anthropologist father, complete with a large cage in the middle of the living room, where Cissy keeps her pet ‘mafus’ (monkeys). Cissy lives in a bubble of her own creation, and reacts aggressively to any attempt to alter her world. Ellen, who’s been taking care of her since their father passed, tries to edge her into adjusting to normal society. When Ellen starts seeing a co-worker, Cissy feels threatened and the suitor finds him in the centre of a violent retribution.

Tagged with: Cinema F-rated The Final Girls present: Unholy Women

Please note: we will be screening from a rare, imported 35mm print of The Mafu Cage. The print has experienced some colour fading – meaning there is a magenta cast to the image – but is otherwise in excellent condition.

US 1978 Dir Karen Arthur 102 min 35mm presentation

Contains moderate violence, including violence towards animals.

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.

Please arrive promptly at the advertised start time

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

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Barbican Cinema 1

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.