Traditional African beliefs conflict with missionary domination in a rural Kenyan village in Wanjiru Kinyanjui's powerful drama, centring around a supernatural tree.
Based on Barbara Kimenye's short story and set in a Kenyan village, the film follows Mumbi as she escapes her abusive husband in Nairobi and returns to her ancestral home. There, she clashes with a Christian women's group intent on wiping out pre-colonial beliefs, particularly setting their eyes on a revered tree believed to have supernatural powers. The film’s dialogue alternates between English and Kiswahili, enriched by the soundtrack of Senegalese musician Mamadou Mbaye.
Shot entirely in Kenya with a local cast, Der Kampf um den heiligen Baum celebrates African storytelling and invites viewers to explore cultural identity and tradition.
Directed by Wanjiru Kinyanjui, the Kenyan writer, poet and filmmaker, the film was her graduation project for DFFB (the Berlin' film school), and showcases her wit and self-assurance as a filmmaker.
Germany 1995 Dir Wanjiru Kinyanjui 82 min
Languages: English, Swahili
Print courtesy of Deutsche Kinemathek - Museum für Film und Fernsehen.
With thanks to Kristov Brändli.
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
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Booking fees
£1.50 booking fee per online/phone transaction.
No fee when tickets are booked in person.
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Cinema 3
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.
