María Antonia (15*)

Cinema Restored

Thu 29 Oct 2026, 18:30 ,Cinema 3

The UK premiere of the restored Cuban cinema classic about María Antonia, a rebellious sex worker who believes fate has dealt her a bad hand.

María Antonia defies her godmother's Orisha faith in pursuit of Kid Julían, a rising boxer. As Julían rejects her for other women, María Antonia's obsession drives her toward a dangerous downward spiral.

María Antonia was the last film that the acclaimed Afro-Cuban director Sergio Giral would make before leaving his native country for the United States. Adapted from a Cuban play inspired by Georges Bizet’s Carmen, it is both a searing tragic melodrama and a subversive critique of racism and sexism within Cuban society.

This restoration of María Antonia was completed in Miami in 2025 from an original screening print of the film. The restoration was done in association with Sergio Giral’s partner Armando Dorrego, the film’s writer and producer.

Tagged with: Cinema Young Barbican Cinema Restored

With thanks to Jonathan Ali, Luis Gispert and Joanne Butcher.

Ticket prices

Standard

£15.50 (£14 + £1.50 transaction fee)

£11.20

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Subject to availability

Students £12.50 (£11 + £1.50 transaction fee)

Unwaged £12.50 (£11 + £1.50 transaction fee)

Over 65s £12.50 (£11 + £1.50 transaction fee)

Under 18s £7.50 (£6 + £1.50 transaction fee)

£15.50 (£14 + £1.50 transaction fee) + free essential companion ticket if needed.

You need to sign up to our free Access Scheme to book access tickets online.

Wheelchair spaces, free companion seats may now be booked online.

Please select the relevant preferences on the access registration page during your booking, so we can provide you with the correct information and discounts.

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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.

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.

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María Antonia (15*)

Cinema Restored

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