We’re introducing Night Mode … Try it out with the sun/moon icon at the top left. Or change font settings with the ‘A’ to make the site work for you.
Got it
ICA is closed from the 30 May – 3 June inclusive.
0 / 256
The Annihilition of Fish (4K restoration)
Institute of Contemporary Arts
The Annihilation of Fish, dir. Charles Burnett, USA 1999, 108 min., English

Book tickets

Charles Burnett may be one of the great American directors of the past half-century, playing a part in formulating the famed LA Rebellion school and bringing a hardnosed reality to tales of Black American life. And yet, The Annihilation of Fish, starring James Earl Jones, Lynn Redgrave and Margot Kidder, is a rare light-hearted work from him. That it has gone without distribution since release is as absurd an indictment of the vagaries of film industry politics as you could possibly find. Only now is this being rectified. 

The Annihilation of Fish finds Burnett playfully ruminating on ageing and romance, via the guise of a sweet and sincere comedy, as two new tenants (Earl Jones and Redgrave) in an apartment building, both with peculiar eccentricities (Earl Jones has been recently released from a mental institution for fighting with a figment of his imagination; Redgrave has recently broken up with her ‘lover’ the long-dead 19thcentury composer Puccini). As the two grow closer together, Burnett uncovers their unique humanity amidst the hijinks and whimsical humour - yet without sensationalising or poking fun at their life experiences. 

This is the London premiere of a 4K restoration by UCLA Film & Television Archive and The Film Foundation with funding provided by the Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation.
These screenings are part of Cinema Rediscoverd. Cinema Rediscovered on Tour is a Watershed project in collaboration with Park Circus and StudioCanal. With support from BFI awarding funds from The National Lottery.
 
Book tickets
04:05 pm
Tue, 08 Oct 2024
Cinema 1
12:20 pm
Wed, 09 Oct 2024
Cinema 2
04:00 pm
Wed, 09 Oct 2024
Cinema 1
06:40 pm
Thu, 10 Oct 2024
Cinema 2

All films are ad-free and 18+ unless otherwise stated, and start with a 10 min. curated selection of trailers.

Red Members gain unlimited access to all exhibitions, films, talks, performances and Cinema 3.
Join today for £20/month.