An exciting collaboration between the Kino cinema in Rye and the National Trust on September 12 is celebrating Rumer Godden’s famous novel Black Narcissus and the 1947 Powell and Pressburger film it inspired.
Black Narcissus tells the story of a group of nuns who open a convent with a school, dispensary and health clinic in an abandoned palace in the Himalayas. Struggling to adapt to the remote location, the constant wind, and the clash of cultures, it is not long until tensions and conflicts emerge with the local people and amongst themselves. And with the added elements of repressed emotions and desires, sexual obsession and jealousy, it is powerful study of psychological breakdown. Released in 1947, the film won acclaim for its wonderful cinematography.
After the screening of the film at the Kino there will be a panel of experts discussing the novel of 1939 and the film in the garden at Lamb House. Having lived in India as a child, Rumer Godden was inspired by a grave in the Himalayas, which spawned this chilling tale of nuns driven mad. The discussion will enable the audience to learn more about the inspiration for the book, and of Rumer Godden’s time at Lamb House.
Programme:
1pm – Black Narcissus in the Blue Room at Kino Rye
2:45pm – Lamb House open, visitors welcomed into the garden after the film at Kino concludes, entry through the garden gate
3:15pm – Panel discussion in the Lamb House garden begins
4pm – Panel Discussion concludes
4pm-5pm – Lamb House is open for guests to explore
5pm – Conclusion of the event
Tickets cost £25 per person and include admission to both venues. Booking via Kino www.kinodigital.co.uk, by phone 01797 226293 (from 10:30am daily) or in person.
Image Credits: Screenshot from film trailer Public domain https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/.