ENTERTAINMENT
Sambizanga at BFI: a restored film with a recorded Q&A
This South Bank cinema visit pairs Sarah Maldoror’s film with a pre-recorded discussion. It is an opportunity to watch and reflect, rather than a live appearance by the director.
The essentials, in one place
Choose your date, check your ticket and plan the journey.
- Date
- 19 Sept 2026
- Venue
- BFI Southbank South Bank
- What time does it start?
- Start time not confirmed here London local time. A door opening time is not a stage time.
- How long is it?
- 102-minute film; recorded Q&A adds time
- Tickets
- Ticketed; check the selected BFI performance Availability and prices can change.
Access, line-up and the journey home
- Access
- Contact the venue for performance-specific access and suitable seating Venue access information ↗
- Finish and running time
- Allow extra time for any introduction, interval and exit queues; confirm the full event length with the venue.
- Return journey
- Use your actual departure date and time in the journey planner, especially if you expect to leave after midnight.
- Date
- 19 September 2026
- Venue
- BFI Southbank
- Film
- Angola–France · 1972
- Presentation
- Digital 4K restoration · English subtitles
- Runtime
- 102-minute film; recorded discussion adds time
- Booking
- Check BFI for start time, price and availability
A search at the centre of the story
After Domingos Xavier is detained by Portuguese secret police, Maria searches for her husband while caring for their baby. Maldoror connects that personal journey with solidarity under colonial rule. Domingos de Oliveira, Elisa Andrade and Jean M’Vondo are among the cast. BFI warns that the film contains torture scenes.
What this particular ticket offers
The dated BFI programme lists 19 September. The accompanying Q&A with Maldoror is pre-recorded: do not book expecting a live conversation, personal meeting or audience questions. The restoration is credited to Cineteca di Bologna and The Film Foundation’s World Cinema Project with partners. The cover here is original editorial artwork, not an image taken from the film.
Decide whether it suits your group
Choose this if you want a concentrated cinema visit and space afterwards to discuss political history, filmmaking and the experience of the central characters. Discuss the subject matter with companions before booking. Subtitled viewing also calls for choosing seats that work for everyone; ask the cinema about your particular access requirements rather than assuming every screening offers the same facilities.
Leave enough room in the evening
The stated runtime covers the film, not necessarily the complete event. Confirm the selected performance start and total duration before arranging dinner or a last train. A public programme entry does not establish current seat availability. No price, certificate or start time is supplied here without confirmation from the booking page.
Getting to the correct BFI venue
Use BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XT, rather than BFI IMAX. Waterloo is the nearest Underground station, with Jubilee, Northern, Bakerloo and Waterloo & City services. Check TfL on the day. BFI has no on-site parking, including Blue Badge parking, so discuss an appropriate arrival route with the venue when needed.
Access and a relaxed nearby stop
BFI provides lift or step-free routes to its screens and can arrange wheelchair and companion places through its access team. Confirm the auditorium and entrance on your ticket. Keep any riverside walk optional if weather changes, and choose a nearby food stop instead of a second timed booking across London. After 19 September this screening leaves active recommendations; the calendar supplies current alternatives.
