Four young men from Liverpool, via the mass medium of television, changed the way Britain saw itself and the way the world saw Britain. A Hard Day’s Night became a landmark of modern cinema.How did a film made to capture a pop phenomenon become an enduring cinematic classic?

Samira Ahmed reveals how the Beatles’ first film changed both the band themselves and pop music’s relationship with the screen. she shows how this black-and-white gem, shot in a documentary style and brimming with youthful energy, captured Britain at a moment of social transformation, with a portrayal of celebrity, camaraderie and media frenzy that still resonates. Drawing on her own experience of first discovering the film as a child and going on to work in the television industry, Ahmed shines a spotlight on the craft behind its enduring appeal. With insights from members of the cast and crew, including her own new interviews, Ahmed highlights A Hard Day’s Night‘s class and sexual politics, and adds an analysis of the women in the film.Samira Ahmed is a journalist, writer, and BBC broadcaster. She presents Front Row on Radio 4, Newswatch on BBC News, and regularly hosts radio documentaries. In 2020, she was named British Broadcasting Press Guild’s Audio Presenter of the Year.

This talk will be illustrated by clips from the film

THIS EVENT STARTS AT 6.30 RATHER THAN OUR USUAL START TIME OF 7.00!

Refreshments provided