ICA is closed from the 30 May – 3 June inclusive.
The Big Parade (Da yue bing), dir. Chen Kaige, China 1986, 103 min., Mandarin with English subtitles
Book tickets
Celluloid Sunday
The sophomore feature by Chen Kaife (King of Children, Farewell My Concubine, Killing Me Softly), regarded as one of China’s most important directors and a leading filmmaker of the Fifth Generation of Chinese cinema, follows a group of military cadets on a grueling training programme to prepare for a parade celebrating the 35th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic.
Criticized both by the anti-military youth, in which they saw the glorification of the martial spirit, and by the Chinese authorities, which banned it after completion, the film was presented at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) 1988 from a heavily cut and censored version, and remains rarely seen on the big screen to this day.
The film is presented on a 35mm print from the ICA Archives.
The sophomore feature by Chen Kaife (King of Children, Farewell My Concubine, Killing Me Softly), regarded as one of China’s most important directors and a leading filmmaker of the Fifth Generation of Chinese cinema, follows a group of military cadets on a grueling training programme to prepare for a parade celebrating the 35th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic.
Criticized both by the anti-military youth, in which they saw the glorification of the martial spirit, and by the Chinese authorities, which banned it after completion, the film was presented at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) 1988 from a heavily cut and censored version, and remains rarely seen on the big screen to this day.
The film is presented on a 35mm print from the ICA Archives.
Book tickets
07:00 pm
Sun, 08 Dec 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
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
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.
no. 236848.