Diamonds, Dystopias and Dreams: Documentaries at the Dukes
From the earliest days of cinema, documentaries have led the way with experimental film techniques and affective social commentary. They are, in some ways, a blueprint for how to evoke emotion with film. Because of this power, documentary filmmaking has been used by regimes the world over to promote propaganda, and by movements to call out injustices. As documentaries are often social and sometimes pretty challenging, watching them at the cinema adds a few more layers to the experience. Surrounded by friends and strangers, taking in the film as a group – and that vital post-film chat – can transform your evening. Here at the Dukes, we’re getting ready to deep-dive into the talks and documentaries taking place this month.
Ashes and Diamonds: with an introduction by Professor Ewa Mazierska
When: 11 April
Let's start with a talk. The series ‘Andrzej Wajda: Portraits of History and Humanity’ marks the centenary of the Polish filmmaker’s birth. To celebrate, his 1958 drama returns to cinemas. As WWII nears its end, dedicated soldier Maciek is questioning everything. He has been tasked with one more kill – but priorities change when he falls in love. This special screening is introduced by Professor Ewa Mazierska from the University of Lancashire, offering the chance to view the classic in light of its fascinating history.
When: 15-16 April
From director Raoul Peck, this documentary uses the ideas – and warnings – of George Orwell as a lens to examine today’s political landscape. As the lessons of 1984 seem to be becoming more and more relevant, Orwell’s timeless words work to expose absurd systems of injustice, just like they did 80 years ago.
When: 17 & 19 April
To celebrate the centenary of the ‘dream film’, Gerald Fox explores how creators experimented with film in its early decades. Back when dreams were a huge inspiration, these films spun the kaleidoscopic dreamscapes of the mind into visual realities. But can film really reproduce the same sensory processes of the dream?
Catch these events and plenty more from April 11-19.
Written by Jodie Passey
