Bacon Film Screening: Battleship Potemkin

Posted: 11th January 2017

The 1925 Soviet silent film Battleship Potemkin will be screened alongside the Francis Bacon: Nervous System exhibition from 7:00pm – 8:45pm on Thursday 23rd March 2017 at Ferens Art Gallery. Directed by Sergei Eisenstein, it is regarded as one of the finest propaganda films ever made. Set in June 1905, this iconic film tells the story of the crew onboard the Russian battleship Potemkin rebelling against their officers. The film is divided into five acts – Act I: Men and Maggots; Act II: Drama on the Deck: Act III: A Dead Man Calls for Justice; Act IV: The Odessa Steps and Act V: One Against All.

Battleship Potemkin features scenes which were to be early inspiration for Bacon’s work and the selection of paintings on display at the Ferens Art Gallery. An image in Act IV depicting a screaming nurse wearing a pair of broken glasses particularly inspired Bacon. It is acknowledged that this open mouthed image inspired the Head series. Head IV is widely regarded as a masterpiece, and the stand out painting from the series. Head IV is currently on a year long loan from the Arts Council Collection and forms the centrepiece of Gallery 9.

The Battleship Potemkin screening is a ticketed event, and is priced at £15 per person (or £10 for Friends of the Ferens members) Please be advised that advance booking is essential, and a maximum of ten tickets can be booked per person.

To book your ticket, please call (01482) 300306 or book online at http://bit.ly/2j0Gbba