This July, we are once again celebrating South Asian Heritage Month with an array of newly restored classics, anniversary screenings, critically acclaimed new titles, live music, expert introductions, and Q&As.
The season opens with the Sundance prize-winning queer drama Cactus Pears, followed by a Q&A with the film’s director Rohan Kanawade. This screening will be open to members only, and each ticket includes a complimentary prickly pear cocktail.
Asif Kapadia (Amy, Senna) joins us for Q&A following a special 25th anniversary screening of his BAFTA-winning directorial debut The Warrior, starring the late Irrfan Khan.
The directors of London Boys will join us for a Q&A following their documentary which explores the lives of second-generation Bangladeshi men in East London.
City Lights presents Gurinder Chadha’s timeless coming-of-age comedy Bend It Like Beckham.
Our members’ choice screening will be the new restoration of Satyajit Ray’s underseen masterpiece Days and Nights in the Forest, which will be feature a pre-recorded introduction by Wes Anderson.
In partnership with the High Commission of Sri Lanka, London, and guest curator Anupma Shanker, we are delighted to be screening a new restoration of The Girls, the ground breaking debut film by Sumitra Peries, Sri Lanka’s first female director.
Anupma Shanker also presents the 70th anniversary screening of Bhowani Junction, directed by the Oscar-winning filmmaker George Cukor and starring Eva Gardner, as well as season closer The Cup. This critically-acclaimed directorial debut of Bhutanese-born filmmaker Khyentse Norbu was the first ever feature film to be made in the Tibetan language, and will be preceded by a live Dranyen Lute performance by Ngawang Lodup.
Booking for all screenings in this programme is now open to members only during the exclusive presale, while general sales will open on Thursday 28 May at 18:00.
There will also be a free members’ screening of Days and Nights in the Forest on Thursday 16 July. Booking for this will open closer to the date, and details about this will be included in a Members’ email.
