Sonic Textures, Shattered Scenes

A selection of landmark films by Black artists working in independent cinema in the 1970s-90s.

This season showcases truly groundbreaking cinema by artists and thinkers that expanded the ways the Black American experience could be represented, examined, and cherished. These are experimental, personal, and radical films by academics, musicians, poets, writers, actors, photographers, and visual artists who changed cinema forever. In turns thrilling, cerebral, and sensuous, this diverse programme of films spanning various genres are united by invoking the richness of the lives we live. In recent years many of these previously-overlooked films have been restored, and even re-cut, enabling new generations to see these films as they were originally intended.

Please note that many of the films in this season reflect historical attitudes that audiences may find outdated and offensive.

The season title is taken from the article Cosmic Freeze Frames: A Poetics of Bill Gunn by Carlos Valladares on gagosian.com (Spring 2021)

Film

6.30pm £6 (or £30 for season ticket)

Set in 1960s Louisiana, an affluent African American family unravels following the infidelities of its charming patriarch. A coming-of-age tale told from the perspective of ten-year-old Eve, Lemmons’ stunning debut explores complex family dynamics, trauma, and spiritualism whilst steeped in rich southern gothic atmosphere. Inspired by her own upbringing, the film feels at once naturalistic and in the realms of folktale. A vivid, hypnotic, and atmospheric piece of cinema.

Kasi Lemons is a director, writer, producer, actor, and librettist. She is also an Associate Arts Professor at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. Lemmons initially developed Eve’s Bayou as a novel before deciding the best medium for the story was film.

In 2006 Eve’s Bayou was selected by the National Film Registry (US) for being “culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant” by the Library of Congress USA.

Access

This event is inclusive for wheelchair users; our building is wheelchair accessible with lift access to all floors. If you require a wheelchair space, please email info@nottinghamcontemporary.org or phone 0115 948 9750 so we can ensure a space is set up for you.

If you require a free ticket for a carer, please contact us using the details above to arrange this.

This event will take place in The Space. Find information about getting here, our building access and facilities by clicking here.

If you have any questions around access or have specific access requirements we can accommodate, please get in touch with us by emailing info@nottinghamcontemporary.org or phoning 0115 948 9750.