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The Annihilition of Fish (4K restoration)
Institute of Contemporary Arts
The Annihilation of Fish, dir. Charles Burnett, USA 1999, 108 min., English

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.
 
06:40 pm
Fri, 27 Sep 2024
Cinema 2
06:40 pm
Sat, 28 Sep 2024
Cinema 2
06:15 pm
Sun, 29 Sep 2024
Cinema 2
06:40 pm
Tue, 01 Oct 2024
Cinema 2
08:30 pm
Wed, 02 Oct 2024
Cinema 2
06:40 pm
Thu, 03 Oct 2024
Cinema 2
08:40 pm
Fri, 04 Oct 2024
Cinema 2
06:25 pm
Sat, 05 Oct 2024
Cinema 2
02:15 pm
Sun, 06 Oct 2024
Cinema 1
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
02:00 pm
Fri, 11 Oct 2024
Cinema 2
12:45 pm
Mon, 14 Oct 2024
Cinema 1
Ticket information
  • All tickets that do not require ID (full price, disabled, income support) can be printed at home or stored in email
  • For aged-based concession tickets (under 25, student and pensioner) please bring relevant ID to collect at the front desk before the event.
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
Please email access@ica.art
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
Please email access@ica.art
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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