Riverside Studios announces a programme of film screenings marking Black History Month. The venue will screen a selection of dramas and documentaries across October, exploring and interrogating different aspects of the Black experience, both in the UK and the US.
The programme includes Pressure, released in 1976 and considered Britain’s first Black feature film; Hitsville: The Making of Motown, the story of the trail blazing record label, introduced by writer and critic Kaleem Aftab; the documentaries Second Sight: The People’s Account about the Tottenham Broadwater Farm uprising, and Omega Rising about women in the Rastafarian Movement; as well as Daughters of the Dust, African American filmmaker Julie Dash’s acclaimed portrait of early 20th century Gullah women.
Rachel Tackley, Creative Director, and Rachel Hayward, Cinema Programmer of Riverside Studios, today said, “We have put together a diverse programme of films that brilliantly reflect key moments in social and cinematic history, and are very excited to explore the range of Black voices across this vital and vibrant selection throughout the month. This programme is also a springboard for a number of screenings celebrating and showcasing Black talent in the coming months and into 2021”
Tickets for all the Black History Month Season screenings are now available via the Riverside Studios website: www.riversidestudios.co.uk/book/cinema
Also currently on at Riverside Studios is Icons, an exhibition of Contemporary art celebrating pop culture legends, in partnership with Art Hound Gallery, which runs until 31 January 2021. Additionally, the Riverside Studios cinema is hosting a variety of screenings, including NT Live Encore showings of Frankenstein (24 October) and Fleabag (28 November).
Riverside Studios is putting customer safety and wellbeing at the forefront of reopening measures. As a result, the cinema capacity has been reduced from 200 to 68. This means that audiences will be unable to pre-book specific seats, and these will be allocated in advance to ensure at least one metre social distancing. Audiences are encouraged to book in advance to ensure the best experience possible. As a courtesy to others, Riverside asks that face masks are worn. Staff will likewise be wearing face masks.
