dir. Philip Leacock
Year. 1958
country. UK
run-time. 95mins
rating. U
Doors Midday - Film Starts 12.30
Tickets: FREE - but please book in advance
THIS SCREENING WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A LOCATION TOUR EXPLORING THE FILM’S THEMES OF RENEWAL AND GENTRIFICATION.
Inspired by Deptford Cinema’s ongoing mission to support rare and under-explored areas of the moving image, we are proud to be presenting lost gems of British cinema themed around ‘The Child in the City’ (1960 – 1990).
Curated and introduced by Sussex alumni Adam Whitehall & Katherine Kruger this series will explore the cinema evolution of the young teen in the urban landscape on the cusp of both sexual and self-knowledge. The films trace the quest for independence through means well intended or purely anarchic, on the streets or in their dreams.
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“Cocksure and independent”, nothing, it seems, can deter the young heroine, Lovejoy Mason, from achieving her goal: to build a garden in a bombed-out churchyard. To do this Lovejoy solicits the help of a suitably enamoured local lad Tip Malone and his little brother Sparkey.
Based on Rumer Godden's 'An Episode of Sparrow', the film raises questions about community, friendship, love and family growing up in a city. As its title suggests, the film brings the concept of "innocence" into sharp relief against the perils of growing up in a city and focuses on the young person’s desire to exert influence over their environment, a concern which is growing in urgency today with the involvement of young people in debates around environmental issues.
Post-screening film patrons are invited to take part in a critical excursion of Lovejoy Mason’s post-Blitz London. After a short tube journey this creative interactive tour of modern Pimlico will seek to further explore the film’s themes of renewal and gentrification.
Supported by the CHASE Doctoral Training Partnership.
