A trio of films on childhood which form a dialogue with the documentary project Children’s Games, curated in response to our Francis Alÿs: Ricochets exhibition.
These films show different glimpses of childhood, from three distinct points of time and place. Forming a dialogue with Children’s Games (1999-present), which is an ongoing project documenting children at play around the world.
We begin in the streets of Tehran with The Bread and the Alley by the great Abbas Kiarostami. The image of the child has played a recurring role across his career, and in his debut work we follow a young boy wandering home who encounters a growling dog.
We then travel back in time to the mid sixties and a wintery Amsterdam, in Beppie, in a classic of observational film by the celebrated Dutch documentary filmmaker Johan van der Keuken. The final film takes us into a school in Paris, in esteemed director Claire Simon's portrait of her daughter and her environment, in Récréations, and captures games.
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.
Programme
The Bread and the Alley
Dir Abbas Kiarostami, Iran, 1970, 11 mins
Kiarostami's cinematic debut, this film follows a young boy navigating his way home through an alley, only to encounter a barking dog obstructing his path.
Beppie
Dir Johan can der Keuken, Netherlands, 1965, 38 mins
An emotionally resonant and affectionate portrayal of Beppie, the girl who resides next door to Johan van der Keuken in Amsterdam.
Récréations
Dir Claire Simon, France, 1998, 54 mins
In this documentary, Claire Simon immerses herself in the poignant and sometimes humorous dynamics of a schoolyard. Through the lens of children's games, she exposes the myriad of challenges and traumas associated with navigating the complexities of social interaction.
Give a year of art, music, film and theatre
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.
