Outdoor Cinema at The Barbican | Al Fresco Culture
The Barbican’s outdoor cinema returns this summer.
We’re calling it The Barbi-Cannes. (To be clear, no one else is).
And much like at the film festival in the South of France, we’re sure that you’ll be able to experience that balmy riviera climate at The Barbi-Cannes, too… because A) They’re going to be screening everything outdoors, and B) We’re unrelenting optimists around here…. except when things are going badly. Which is always.
Anyhoo, it’s taking place towards the end of August, and – should the Weather Gods smile upon us, which they will – the Barbican will be setting up the pop up cinema in their atmospheric Sculpture Court, against a backdrop of the City skyline and the arts complex’s iconic brutalist buildings.
As you’d expect from the Barbican, however – and this is the best part – the film roster is showing something a little different to your typical outdoor cinema line-up of Dirty Dancing and Encanto singalongs (there is a time and place for that, though… and those times and places are here). At the Barbican’s Outdoor Cinema, the season kicks off with Wes Anderson’s distinctively charming Grand Budapest Hotel; followed Hayao Miyazaki’s adventurous animated swansong, The Boy and The Heron; the dazzling 1987 concert film of Prince’s Sign O’ the Times tour; the cult psychedelic monster flick that is Godzilla vs. Hedorah; Ingmar Bergman’s B&W masterpiece Wild Strawberries; the dream-like epic of 1970s Indian cinema, Pakeezah; and many more – all capped off with the golden-era musical An American In Paris.
Just to double down on their elevated outdoor cinema status, there’ll also be street food from the likes of Copper Rattle (gourmet hot dogs & popcorn); Toum & Tahini (fatteh, or loaded pita); and Kichiya Pastries (Japanese desserts like dorayaki pancakes and soufflé cheesecake), plus a well-stocked bar on hand.
Your typical multiplex it ain’t…
NOTE: The Barbican Outdoor Cinema runs from 1st September 2024. Tickets cost £18, and can be booked right HERE. Please note that seating is unallocated, so you may want to get there early.
Barbican Outdoor Cinema | Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS
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