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Orwell: 2+2=5 + ScreenTalk with director Raoul Peck (15)

ScreenTalks

,Cinema 2
Slogans from Orwell's books ('War is peace', 'Freedom is slavery', 'Ignorance is strength') appear superimposed in black and white and in bright neons across the interior surfaces of a busy shopping mall.

This unflinching documentary from Academy Award-nominated director Raoul Peck (I Am Not Your Negro) charts the startling continued relevance of visionary author George Orwell's political observations.

Orwell's iconic novels 1984 and Animal Farm foretold a chilling, all-too-believable authoritarian future. In Orwell: 2+2=5, working in collaboration with the Orwell Estate, Raoul Peck seamlessly interweaves historical clips, readings from Orwell's diary, cinematic references, and dynamic modern day footage to craft not only a definitive portrait of the writer himself, but an entirely fresh take on how remarkably prophetic his work has become. 

Peck doesn't just present the information but shows new ways of seeing it, drawing patterns and connections we might not otherwise realise, championing Orwell (here given voice by Homeland's Damian Lewis) as a man from the past who just might hold the key to the world's future.

We are delighted to have Raoul Peck with us for a ScreenTalk, hosted by Barbican Head of Cinema Rebecca Fons.

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This event will begin approximately 10mins after the advertised start time.

Film information
  • Release year   2026
  • Country of origin   UK
  • Director   Raoul Peck
  • Runtime   1hr 59mins

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.