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Personal Problems (12A)

— ,Cinemas

This experimental soap opera written by poet Ishmael Reed radically captures African American life in 1980s New York.

Johnnie Mae Brown (Vertamae Smart-Grosvenor)  is a New York City nurse whose husband is cheating on her. Her personal dramas play out, as her extended family takes her domestic and emotional labor for granted. 

Developed from an original idea by Ishmael Reed, the film emerged from New York's Black literary and artistic underground. Shot on video between 1980 and 1981 with a stripped-back, vérité style, Bill Gunn's quietly radical work blurs fiction and lived experience, and is now recognised as a landmark of independent Black cinema.

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Film information
  • Release year   1981
  • Country of origin   USA
  • Director   Bill Gunn
  • Runtime   2hr 45mins

Cinemas

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.