Binka Zhelyazkova’s brilliant feature explores a touching love story that develops during an attempt to thwart Nazi occupation in 1940s Bulgaria.
Like many of Zhelyazkova’s films, We Were Young takes place in the early 1940s and centres its story around a handful of youngsters in their late teens, who are willing to risk everything in order to oppose the Nazi occupation. Amidst the political chaos, a love story blooms between two of them, Veska and Dimo, beautifully played by Rumyana Karabelova and Dimitar Buynozov. Through their romance, Zhelyazkova considers the cost of resistance and sacrifice.
Zhelyazkova’s sophomore feature remains stunningly elegant while it simmers with suspense: clandestine meetings, the safety of shadows, and the murmur of a quotidian forever beyond reach for the partisans. We Were Young shines in this brand-new restoration from 2021.
This screening will be introduced by curator Savina Petkova.
Bulgaria 1961 dir Binka Zhelyazkova 110min
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£1.50 booking fee per online/phone transaction.
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Cinema 3
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.
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
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.
