International Women's Evening

As you may have guessed from our creatively titled event, it’s International Women’s Day! To celebrate, we’re hosting an evening of films featuring some amazing women in cinema.

Kicking off the evening is Bend it Like Beckham

Gurinder Chadha’s 2002 hit film tells the story of Jess Bhamra, who wishes to fulfil her dreams of becoming a footballer, much to the chagrin of her traditional, protective Punjabi parents. We see some of the first film roles for Parminder Nagra, Keira Knightley, and Archie Panjabi, who star alongside Bollywood legend Anupam Kher. Over 21 years later, it remains the highest-grossing football-based film and, despite never having had an interest in the sport itself, I still love the film. Of course, the football aficionados amongst you will engage with it much more! Amidst the drama, comedy, and culture, there’s a few brief, minor cameos, including Gary Lineker and John Barnes (apparently they’re famous in the world of football), so keep your eyes peeled for them! Bend It Like Beckham is one of the highlights of British cinema, fronted by strong female leads and the focus on a West London immigrant family both make for a truly inspiring story - it’s relatable not just for British Desis, but also for anyone who has ever fought hard to achieve their dreams! . - Jay Patel

Next up is cult classic, Jennifer’s Body, in which a teenage girl is possessed by a demon and embarks on a boy-based killing spree in her school. Iconic!

And finally, we’ve got Shiva Baby

So, one of your family members dies, your parents drag you to the shiva (for Jewish people in mourning, lots of bagels), and when you enter, there is your ex-girlfriend, who is succeeding at all the things you’ve failed to achieve, then your sugar daddy arrives… relatable? No? Well, a few minutes into Shiva Baby and Emma Seligman’s claustrophobic direction will make it all feel like it’s happening to you. With the latest Seligman-directed, Sennott-starring film, Bottoms, recently out and adored all around, Shiva Baby is where the magic all starts; the small-scale annoyances of coming-of-age with nothing to show for it, heightened by Seligman into the most important events in the world. All the while, you are invited to awkwardly crease with laughter and second-hand embarrassment as the shiva that simply cannot get any worse somehow manages to get worse. There aren’t many opportunities to see Shiva Baby at the cinema, where its immersive discomfort is experienced most vividly – come and feel relieved that, unlike Rachel Sennott’s character Danielle, all you have to do is watch. - Daniel Kallin

Of course, taking the entirety of the female experience and condensing it down into 4 hours is an impossible task, but we hope you enjoy our picks!

Sophie Cooper