Mother Vera, dir. Cécile Embleton, Alys Tomlinson, UK 2024, 90 min., English
French, Belarusian with English subtitles 12A.
French, Belarusian with English subtitles 12A.
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Directed by photographer Alys Tomlinson and filmmaker Cécile Embleton, Mother Vera is a meditative portrait of a Belarusian nun who has spent decades in an Orthodox monastery, seeking redemption from a past marked by addiction and loss.
Emerging from Tomlinson’s photographic series Ex-Voto, the film’s stark black-and-white imagery moves through candlelit chapels, snowbound fields, and moments of quiet communion with animals, tracing Vera’s conflicted devotion and tentative steps toward freedom.
BFI LFF Grierson Award Winner for Best Documentary.
The ICA screens a preview of the film on Tuesday 19 August, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers.
Emerging from Tomlinson’s photographic series Ex-Voto, the film’s stark black-and-white imagery moves through candlelit chapels, snowbound fields, and moments of quiet communion with animals, tracing Vera’s conflicted devotion and tentative steps toward freedom.
BFI LFF Grierson Award Winner for Best Documentary.
The ICA screens a preview of the film on Tuesday 19 August, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers.
'transfixing beautiful...' - Jonathan Romney, Screen Daily
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06:45 pm
Fri, 29 Aug 2025
Cinema 2
06:30 pm
Sat, 30 Aug 2025
Cinema 1
06:45 pm
Sun, 31 Aug 2025
Cinema 1
08:20 pm
Tue, 02 Sep 2025
Cinema 2
06:30 pm
Wed, 03 Sep 2025
Cinema 2
06:30 pm
Thu, 04 Sep 2025
Cinema 2
Ticket information
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Access information
Cinema 1
- Both our Cinemas have step free access from The Mall and are accessible by ramp
- We have 1 wheelchair allocated space with a seat for a companion
- All seats are hard back, have a crushed velvet feel and they do not recline
- These are our seat size dimensions: W 42 x D 45 x H 52
- Arm rest either side of the seat dimensions: L 27 x W 7 x H 20
for the following requirements:
- We have unassigned seating. If you require a specific seat, please reserve this in advance
- Free for visitors where ticket prices are a barrier, please email
Cinema 2
- Both our Cinemas have step free access from The Mall and are accessible by ramp
- All seats are hard back, have a crushed velvet feel and they do not recline
- These are our seat size dimensions: W 42 x D 45 x H 52
- Arm rest either side of the seat dimensions: L 27 x W 7 x H 20
for the following requirements:
- We have a removable seat to create a wheelchair allocated space, please contact to organise this prior to the date and time of the screening
- We have unassigned seating. If you require a specific seat, please reserve this in advance
- Free for visitors where ticket prices are a barrier, please email
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no. 236848.