BIMI Essay Film Festival Prelude: The Song of the Shirt
Date and time
Location
Birkbeck Cinema
43 Gordon Square London WC1H 0PD United KingdomDescription
Screening and discussion: The Song of the Shirt, 1979, Sue Clayton and Jonathan Curling, 16mm/digital, black and white, 135 minutes
Followed by Kodwo Eshun in conversation with Sue Clayton after the screening.
“An investigation into the position of working women in the 1840s, the effects of protectionist 'philanthropy' and the resistance to it. Explores the plight of a group of women working in the new 'sweated' clothes trade in London. […] Originally intended as a history of the welfare state, as well as a contribution to debates on feminist history, The Song of the Shirt is constructed as a documentary, although the use of multiple-screen effects, monitors displaying text and projected backdrops constantly disrupts the flow of information. Few dates are revealed in the film, forcing us to address the arguments rather than the chronology. […] The Song of the Shirt's combination of relentless political content and a dislocated and disruptive presentation makes it stand out from its contemporaries in its ambition to present a genuinely feminist independent film.” (Screenonline)
Organised by
Birkbeck Institute for the Moving Image (BIMI) is a response to the growing interest in film and the moving image across the College. Through public events and academic research initiatives, BIMI will address a wide variety of contemporary issues, particularly those relevant to its interdisciplinary structure. Working closely with the Birkbeck Cinema, BIMI programmes public screenings and special seasons, making use of 35 mm film in addition to the Cinema’s high quality DVD projection.
We will be running from research seminars to film screenings. Please check these pages for further details in the coming weeks.