Chronic Youth Film Festival: Apostles of Cinema + Talking About Trees (PG*)
Against All Odds
Earnest and spirited, Apostles of Cinema and Talking About Trees put the spotlight on two passionate groups of East African film workers bringing cinema back to the community.
“They’re ready for their close-up, Mr. DeMille!”
As a brief yet incisive journey into Tanzanian film culture, short film Apostles of Cinema makes for an exciting introduction to the deeper reflections on what community access to cinema means, as presented in feature Talking About Trees. Subtly political and delightfully exuberant, these pieces offer a piercing commentary on the value of cinematic legacies and celebrate humanity’s enduring love of film.
Content Warning: References to violence in Talking About Trees. If you’d like a more nuanced description of what to expect, please get in touch with the programmers by emailing [email protected].
Runtime: 1hr 51min (total)
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Booking fees
£1.50 booking fee per online/phone transaction.
No fee when tickets are booked in person.
Booking fees are per transaction and not per ticket. If your booking contains several events the highest booking fee will apply. The booking fee may be reduced on certain events. Members do not pay booking fees.
Programme
Talking about Trees
2019 Sudan/Chad/France/Germany/Qatar dir Suhaib Gasmelbari 94 mins
A tender portrait of four Sudanese filmmakers reuniting to revive Khartoum’s cinema scene after decades of censorship and political unrest.
In this heartfelt documentary, the Sudanese Film Group embarks on a mission to rebuild Khartoum’s ‘Revolution Cinema’. Their long-standing friendships and passion for film stand as a beacon of hope against repression. Amid playful re-enactments and serious detective work to track down their archival footage, the group's enthusiasm infects the whole community, planting the seeds for a flourishing future of Sudanese cinema.
Apostles of Cinema
2023 Tanzania dir Darragh Amelia, Cece Mlay, Jesse Gerard Mpango and Gertrude Malizana 17 mins
Forget the director’s cut, Swahiliwood is all about the DJ in this short showcasing the work of film ‘translators’ and their distributors in Tanzania’s vibrant underground film scene.
Moving from bustling city streets to ‘film libraries’ and informal cinemas, a group of film workers shine a light on a cinema culture that is all about community. Following the dynamic DJ Black, who contextualises films for working-class cinephiles, this short celebrates the importance of cinematic legacy and access, attesting to the Bantu proverb 'Ubuntu', or "I am because we are."
Chronic Youth Film Festival 2025
Against All Odds
Against All Odds
Against All Odds
Against All Odds
Against All Odds
Cinema 2
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.
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 over the road to the venue.
Address
Beech Street, London
EC2Y 8DS
Nearby public transport
We are within walking distance from a number of London Underground stations, the closest being Barbican, St Paul’s and Moorgate. The nearest train stations are Liverpool Street and Farringdon. Bus Route 153 runs directly past the Barbican along Chiswell Street
Car and bicycle parking
We have free bicycle spaces and paid car parking spaces available
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
Level access from the Pit floor foyer only to the two boxes (see Mobility below). All other seats lead off stepped aisles.
Mobility
Two boxes at the rear of the auditorium each have space for one wheelchair user and a companion. Please book early and ask for these seats.
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
There is an induction loop in the auditorium. You can use this by adjusting your hearing aid to the ‘T’ setting.
For more access information, please visit our Accessibility section.
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.
