Belle is inspired by the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), the illegitimate mixed race daughter of Admiral Sir John Lindsay. Raised by her aristocratic great uncle Lord Mansfield and his wife, Belle’s lineage affords her certain privileges, yet her status prevents her from traditions of noble social standing. This film charts how despite cultural and social strictures Belle helped shape Lord Mansfield’s role as Lord Chief Justice to end slavery in England.
To celebrate our very own Scottish based Black Stars, the event will include a performance by the fabulous Patricia Panther, a Glasgow based producer, singer, songwriter and actress. She stars in the latest National Theatre of Scotland’s production, Glasgow Girls, for which she produced some of the songs. She will also talk about her journey into her creative practice!
Screenings take place throughout autumn at GWL and the Glasgow Film Theatre as part of the British Film Institute’s Black Star season, the UK’s biggest ever season of film and television dedicated to celebrating the range, versatility and power of black actors. Join us to celebrate black on screen talent through watching and discussing films with black female leads. We have selected films for a wide audience – feel good family films; films directed by black female filmmakers and some black cinema classics. We have also invited special guests enabling audiences to hear from emerging Scottish based black female filmmakers and musicians.
The Color Purple: Tuesday 15th November*, 5.30pm to 8pm, Glasgow Women’s Library, £5/£3
Akeelah and the Bee: Saturday 29th October, 11.30am to 1.30pm, Glasgow Film Theatre, 12 Rose St, Glasgow G3 6RB, £5/Free with GFT Take two (Glasgow Young Scot or Kidz Card holders and an accompanying adult get in Free)
In partnership with GFT and Africa in Motion Film Festival. Funded by BFI.
This event is open to all and we prefer for tickets to be booked in advance whenever possible. This event costs £5 full price. Select the number of tickets you want to book below, or come in to the Library to book. We offer subsidised places for students, people on a low income, unemployed or those in receipt of benefit and Friends of GWL at £3 each. If you are eligible for a subsidised place select the subsidised ticket below, or come in to the Library to book.
If you have booked a place and are no longer able to attend please let us know so that we can make your place available to someone else.
*Please note these dates have changed from those in our printed programme.