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About Some Meaningless Events (15*)

Project a Black Planet

,Cinema 3
people on a film set

These three films explore political history and memory through poetry on Haitian revolt, blues-inflected mourning, and a cinematic style that reflects on Moroccan national cinema.

In 1974 in Morocco, Mostafa Derkaoui filmed About Some Meaningless Events (De quelques événements sans signification), an investigation into the social role of an emerging independent national cinema and the political aspirations of a new generation.

The film was banned under the country’s censorship laws and remained practically invisible until this restoration made it available. Today the film retains an energy, a curiosity, and a sense of urgency that will surprise and challenge contemporary audiences.

Alongside Derkaoui’s film are Sarah Maldoror’s portrait of Haitian poet René Depestre and American artist Cauleen Smith’s Three Songs About Liberation. Viewed together, these films raise questions about the role of language and art in thinking about cultural remembrance.

Tagged with: Cinema Project a Black Planet Film Season

Book two or more films in the Project a Black Planet film programme at the same time and get 20% off.

Programme

René Depestre, poète haïtien, dir Sarah Maldoror, France, 1981, 4 mins

Three Songs About Liberation, dir Cauleen Smith, USA, 2017, 10 mins

About Some Meaningless Events, dir Mostafa Derkaoui, Morocco, 1974, 76 mins

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Cinema 3

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.