Good Venue Guide 10: National Film Theatre, SE1
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Date of Birth: 1957.
Building: nestled under the asthma- inducing Waterloo Bridge, on the site of a former car park, the NFT isn't feted for its architecture: its press office couldn't name the original architect or the cost of the building, which was extended to two auditoriums in 1970. The more elegant Museum of the Moving Image, designed by Brian Avery and tacked onto the NFT in 1988 to provide an additional cinema, cost pounds 12m.
Brief history: originally an exhibit in the 1952 Festival of Britain, it was relocated to its current home in 1957. Despite its rather innocuous (some say drab) appearance, it has been party to some unseemly scenes: Jean-Luc Goddard in a fist fight, and Quentin Tarantino mobbed by crazed fans demonically incanting choice excerpts from Pulp Fiction and demanding autographs. Bette Davis did little to help its image problem, declaring "What a dump!" as she strode down an aisle. Street cred was, however, bolstered by Hugh Grant and his scene in Four Weddings and a Funeral - even though he was distracted by Andie MacDowell and missed the film in question. Fans were delighted by the unscheduled appearance of Judy Garland when A Star is Born was screened shortly before her death.
Currently starring: Magnificent Obsessions, a retrospective of the films of Douglas Sirk, including Written on the Wind, starring Rock Hudson and Lauren Bacall. Mon to 30 Jan. Bookings on 0171 928 3232.
Where to meet: the newly-opened cafe (above), refurbished by Peter Leonard, may be done out in a dubious, sub-Eighties chic, but it's a definite improvement on the old one, which resembled a rather nasty garden centre.
Cost of a glass of wine: pounds 2.20.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments