Parent and Carer Screening

With introduction

Dir. David Lean
1945 | 87 mins | UK | English
Celia Johnson, Trevor Howard, Stanley Holloway, Joyce Carey

This special screening welcomes parents, carers and their young children to enjoy a relaxed screening of Brief Encounter, screening as part of Exeter Phoenix’s Maternal Melodrama season.

Trapped in a suburban marriage, brittle housewife Laura (Celia Johnson) struggles with her passion for dashing doctor Alec (Trevor Howard). The film’s blend of the middle-class everyday, Robert Krasker’s atmospheric black and white cinematography and Rachmaninoff’s swooning 2nd Piano Concerto remains powerfully affecting. The film quivers with pent-up emotion in a way that must have been even more potent on its release in 1945 – just months after the end of World War II – than it is today.

With introduction from season curator, Claire Horrocks and presented in collaboration with Daylight Collective. This screening is included in the package for members of the Daylight Collective Creative Journalling course.

Parent and Carer Screening

The space is comfy, set up with children in mind, with mats and toys. Noise is welcome and supported. Everyone is free to be themselves and move around as they need. Arriving ‘late’ or leaving ‘early’ never needs an apology. The lights are on-low and sound levels lowered so you can enjoy a safe and relaxed show with your child. Please note the film is rated PG, the screening is aimed at adults. We provide a buggy park and nappy changing facilities.

These principles have been inspired by our collaborator Lizzy Humber, founder of The Daylight Collective – Read more here

BBFC Rating Details:
Rated PG – adultery theme, suicide references

This screening is part of Too Much: Melodrama on Film, a UK-wide season that celebrates films that champion emotional intensity over ‘good taste’.

Exeter Phoenix presents a selection of films that are united by motherhood; Maternal Melodramas.

The season is supported by the BFI through National Lottery funding.

Venue: Studio 74, Exeter Phoenix

*Subject to a £1.50 ticketing system charge. We don’t charge this to make a profit. Find out more >>