Beyond Gravity and other Gay Shorts from New Zealand (15*) + introduction by Daniel Theophanous
Queer 80s
Just a couple of years after New Zealand’s decriminalisation of same-sex activity came this charming romance between a neurotic gay man and a cocky Italian, showing alongside two key gay Kiwi shorts.
Richard (Robert Pollock) lives in Auckland with his sister and drives her and his mates up the wall with his obsession with the cosmos and the possible explosion of the sun. His life is upended when he meets Johnny (Iain Rea), an adventurous guy who encourages Richard to loosen up. Can their romance last or is the notion of opposites attracting just a myth?
Both leads share a cute chemistry and the sexual frankness of their relationship is surprising for a featurette made just two years after the decriminalisation of homosexuality in New Zealand, which paved the way to the country becoming one of the most queer-friendly in the world.
New Zealand 1988 dir Garth Maxwell 48 min
Ticket prices
Students £11
Unwaged £11
Over 60s £11
Under 18s £6
Wheelchair spaces, free companion seats may now be booked online.
Please select the relevant preferences on the access registration page during your booking, so we can provide you with the correct information and discounts.
Booking a wheelchair space
Select a seat displaying the wheelchair user icon and then select 'wheelchair user' ticket type. The ticket will be priced at the lowest price for that event. If you need an essential companion, please select the E icon next to the wheelchair space you have selected.
Booking essential companion tickets
Please select at least two tickets and one of them will be automatically discounted to zero in the basket.
Booking British Sign Language or Captioned Seats
Select seats in the area appropriate to your needs.
Booking fees
£1.50 booking fee per online/phone transaction.
No fee when tickets are booked in person.
Booking fees are per transaction and not per ticket. If your booking contains several events the highest booking fee will apply. The booking fee may be reduced on certain events. Members do not pay booking fees.
Daniel Theophanous
Daniel Theophanous is a London-based film critic who has contributed to publications such as Little White Lies, BFI, The Quietus, Hyperallergic and many others. His writing is primarily focused on LGBTQ+ cinema and he hosts queer film podcast Longtime Companion.
Showing With
Singing Seas
This impressionistic short imagines gay tribal life on a fantasy South Pacific Island.
New Zealand 1988 dir Mark Summerville 9 min
My First Suit
14-year-old Steve has enough on his plate – spots, nagging parents – and his realisation that he likes boys doesn’t make life any easier in this funny, horribly relatable coming-of-age comedy.
New Zealand 1985 dir Stewart Main 28 min
Explore the rest of Queer 80s
There are plenty of great films screening as part of Queer 80s throughout June.
Queer 80s
Queer 80s
Queer 80s
Queer 80s
Queer 80s
Queer 80s
See more film for less
Cinema 2
Location
Barbican Cinema 2 & 3 are located on Beech Street, a short walk from the Barbican’s Silk Street entrance. From Silk Street, you’ll see a zebra crossing that will take you across the road to the venue.
Address
Beech Street
London
EC2Y 8DS
Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.
We’ve plenty of places for you to relax and replenish, from coffee and cake to wood-fired pizzas and full pre-theatre menus
Access
Cinemas 2 & 3 are located at Beech Street, a short walk from the Barbican Centre’s main Silk Street entrance. There are a couple of steep, dropped kerbs and an incline to negotiate between the two sites. Level access from Beech Street.
Mobility
Each auditorium has three permanent wheelchair spaces (two in the third row and one in the front row) and 153 fixed seats with capacity for a further three spaces in the front row. Access to each auditorium is up a ramp. There are also a number of seats with step-free access.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs may be taken into the cinema – please tell us when booking to ensure your seat has enough space. If you prefer, you may leave your dog with a member of the foyer staff during the performance.
Hearing facility
An infrared system for hard of hearing customers is provided in each auditorium; headsets or neck loops can be collected from foyer staff. The ticket desk counter is fitted with an induction loop.
For more access information, please visit our Accessibility section.