Push the Boat Out presents: Hair: Film Screening and Panel Talk with Your Local Arena

Delve into the BBC archives in this screening of pioneering film Hair. From quiffs to mohicans, from hot wax to Brylcreem, from blue rinses to dreadlocks to shaved off altogether, this film takes a fascinating look at how hair shapes and expresses who we are and what we stand for.

After the screening, former artistic director of the Edinburgh International Film Festival Hannah McGill will talk to award-winning author Nadine Aisha Jassat and esteemed former Professor of History at Birkbeck Joanna Bourke about all things ‘hair’ and its importance past, present and future. Poet Francesca Beard will read a brand-new poem inspired by Hair.

Your Local Arena is a unique project featuring iconic films from the archives of BBC TV’s Arena, the pioneering cultural documentary series. It includes new poems inspired by the Arena films and panel talks to explore the continuing relevance of the Arena archives today. The Your Local Arena concept was developed by Lucy Hannah and Speaking Volumes, with Arena’s award-winning director/editor Anthony Wall as creative consultant, and funded by Arts Council England.

Artists in attendance: Hannah McGill (chair), Nadine Aisha Jassat, Joanna Bourke

Please note, Khadijah Ibrahim is no longer able to attend this event.