A repeat screening of Iranian cinema’s first true modern masterpiece, Brick and Mirror explores fear and responsibility in the wake of the 1953 coup orchestrated by the CIA and MI6.
A Dostoyevskian tale of a Tehran cab driver’s search for the mother of an abandoned baby, it presents a harrowing image of a society rife with corrupted morals and widespread alienation. While rooted in a specific social context, its message resonates universally.
The godfather of the Iranian New Wave, Ebrahim Golestan, weaves this world together not only with his remarkable writing and direction but also with his own voice: first heard reciting a poem on the radio, warning of the dangers of the night, and later speaking the words of God from the Qur'an.
Divinity and poetry meet in unlikely places – a smoky café, an empty bazaar, an orphanage. The film also marks the first creative use of direct sound in Iranian cinema which, heightened by the absence of a musical score, complements the claustrophobic use of widescreen.
In Persian with English subtitles
Please note: this repeat screening does not have an introduction.
Release year: 1964
Country: Iran
Director: Ebrahim Golestan
Runtime: 130 min
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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.
Cinema 1
Location
Barbican Cinema 1 is located within the main Barbican building on Level -2. Head to Level G and walk towards the Lakeside Terrace where you’ll find stairs and lifts to take you down to the venue floor.
Address
Barbican Centre
Silk 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
Level access from the Pit floor foyer only to the two boxes (see Mobility below). All other seats lead off stepped aisles.
Mobility
Two boxes at the rear of the auditorium each have space for one wheelchair user and a companion. Please book early and ask for these seats.
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
There is an induction loop in the auditorium. You can use this by adjusting your hearing aid to the ‘T’ setting.
For more access information, please visit our Accessibility section.
