
Claire Denis reimagines Herman Melville’s Billy Budd in her extraordinary masterpiece, in which passions simmer in the male environment of the French Foreign Legion.
Voted one of the 10 best films of all time in a recent Sight & Sound poll, Beau Travail delves into the tensions within a French Foreign Legion regiment in the former colony of Djibouti, when the arrival of a handsome young soldier provokes a crisis in Galoup, a grizzled sergeant-major (Denis Lavant). Jealous and inexplicably shaken, Galoup resolves to destroy the younger man. Through the story, Denis subtly explores the legacy of colonialism and the surreal, redundant presence of the soldiers, in sharp contrast to the local women.
Denis’ visuals of desert terrains and men’s physicality blend with the remarkable soundscapes, from the sounds of the men’s army exercises to the snatches of Benjamin Britten’s opera Billy Budd. Sound and vision come together in the film’s electrifying final nightclub scene, an exhilarating moment of release.
Release year: 1998
Country: France
Director: Claire Denis
Runtime: 1hr 33mins
Ticket prices
£12 (Limited availability)
£10
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.
Feeling Hungry?
We have a range of meals, desserts and cinema snacks available at our Food Market, or grab a drink from our Conservatory Bar.
Conservatory Bar: beer, wine and soft drinks are available to be enjoyed in our luscious urban jungle🍹
Cinema snacks: nachos and popcorn (because it just wouldn't be a movie night without popcorn) 🍿
Food stalls:
Copper Rattle: Delicious gourmet hot dogs 🌭
KHAYO: Syrian & Middle Eastern Comfort Food🥘
Kichiya Pastries: Japanese desserts & Dorayaki Matcha Ice cream 🍡
Event Information
Information might change closer to the events taking place, so it’s worth double checking nearer the time, and we’ll be in touch with the most important information before your screening.
Coming to the screening
We can't wait to welcome you to this year's Outdoor Cinema! It’s first come, first served regarding seating – you can claim your seats up to an hour before the screening. The seats are padded but you’re welcome to bring your own cushion if you prefer to be extra comfy.
We can’t provide blankets, but we advise you to bring one along, as well as a jacket or coat and anything else you’d like to have with you after sundown, as it’ll get chilly.
You’ll be given a pair of headphones to listen to the film through; there won’t be any speakers outside. You’ll collect these on arrival and hand them in on the way back. The headphones are not waterproof so please keep them covered if the rain starts.
Please don’t bring large bags or lots of stuff with you, as there’s no cloakroom available.
Come in up to 15 minutes after the advertised start time. Staff members are there to help you find an available seat. If you arrive late, you’ll be missing the film – we’re punctual!
You’re more than welcome to take pictures of the screening area until the film begins, but after that, please don’t take photo or video once the film has started - the same piracy rules apply as they would for an indoor cinema. Also, please respect the privacy of our residents and your fellow audience members.
Food and drink
Food and drink is available to purchase on site. Only drink purchased on site can be consumed at the Outdoor Cinema. Glass bottles aren’t allowed for the safety of you and fellow audience members.
Access
Outdoor Cinema is wheelchair accessible: there is a ramp leading to the screening area. Please let us know in advance if you need assistance by emailing us at [email protected]. We have accessible screenings in the programme, please see below which are Captioned and come with AD. All our Accessible Events can be found here too.
Assistance dogs are welcomed (but no pets, sorry!)
If there’s rain
We’re at the mercy of the British summer. If the forecast looks like rain, we recommend you bring waterproof clothing. We can provide biodegradable ponchos if you’ve forgotten your own! We’d ask you not to bring umbrellas though; we’ll cancel and refund if the rain continues.
If the weather is deemed to be extreme or unsafe, you’ll receive an email from us with an update on the event.
Finding the Sculpture Court
Just arrive through our main entrance and the Sculpture Court is up on level 3, just outside the Art Gallery. If you’re unfamiliar with our venue, don’t worry – we’ll provide directions on how to get here nearer the time.
Noise
Finally, we’d ask you to remember that the Outdoor Cinema is in a residential area, so we’d kindly ask you to be as quiet as possible when you’re leaving, and try to refrain from singing along (as catchy as some songs are).
Sculpture Court
Location
The Sculpture Court is an outside space in the Barbican Estate and is accessible from Level 3, if coming from inside the Barbican building, or via the highwalks and Frobisher Crescent from outside.
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.
We’ve plenty of places for you to relax and replenish, from coffee and cake to wood-fired pizzas and full pre-theatre menus