CF75: Soldier Girls + Q&A
ICAThe Mall, London
Thu 10 Sept · 18:30
About this event
Contemporary Films 75th Anniversary Nick Broomfield and Joan Churchill’s riveting documentary, shot over 3 months, following a group of women going through basic training for the US Army. Fifty started out but only thirty made it through to the end. They concentrate on three of the young women: an 18-year old black woman whose constant giggling and grins drive the platoon sergeant to distraction, another who provides encouragement and support to the others who find it hard, and a third woman who also finds she cannot tolerate army life but is more inhibited. You see each of them change as they face the challenges and rigours before them, all captured with startling intimacy by Broomfield and Churchill. As Broomfield states on his own website: “Joan and I went through Basic Training for 14 weeks. Fred Wiseman lent us a tape recorder. [D.A.] Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus lent us a cutting room. We only got funding after it was shot. We both lost 20 pounds making it – it was so hot.” After the screening directors Nick Broomfield (in person) and Joan Churchill (via live Zoom), will discuss the film.
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A different kind of night
Not the same tradition as the lineage above — a genuinely different thread to pull, if you want one.