Time Flower

We’re very excited to present a newly digitised screening of Time Flower, Desmond Morris’ 1948 experimental film.

While studying zoology at the University of Birmingham in the late 40s, Desmond Morris immersed himself in the city’s surrealist scene. He developed his artistic practice from painting to sculptural intervention – including the anonymous deposit of an elephant skull outside a shop on New Street. The summer after he graduated he made a short film called Time Flower, starring himself and his then-fiancée Ramona Baulch. It screened a few times, won a couple of awards, and then disappeared without trace. Morris went on to renown as a broadcaster and author of The Human Zoo.

75 years after it was made, we are delighted to be sharing Time Flower with an audience for the first time in many decades. Newly digitised from Morris’ own 16mm print, the film will be showing twice – with its original Prokofiev accompaniment and a new live score composed by Kinna Whitehead. The event will include an interview with Morris filmed by Andy Howlett in Kildare last year, and a guest talk by Silvano Levy, expert on British surrealism and author of a number of books on Morris and his work.

What are Solidarity tickets?

We recognise that not everyone has equal access to live events and that the cost of entry is a barrier to some people. Solidarity tickets are free tickets available for anyone who needs it. If you're not sure whether that's you, refer to our guide below (thank you to Matchbox Cineclub for sharing this guide).

Solidary tickets are for you if you agree with any of the following statements:

• I frequently stress about meeting basic needs (including food, clothing, housing and transportation) and don’t always achieve them.
• I have debt and it sometimes prohibits me from meeting my basic needs.
• I rent lower-end properties or have unstable housing.
• I sometimes can’t afford public or private transport. If I own a car/have access to a car, I am not always able to afford petrol.
• I am unemployed or underemployed.
• I qualify for government and/or voluntary assistance including: food banks and benefits.
• I have no access to savings.
• I have no or very limited expendable income (expendable income might mean you are able to buy tea or coffee at a shop, go to the cinema or a concert, buy new clothes, books and similar items each month etc.)
• I rarely buy new items because I am unable to afford them.
• I cannot afford a holiday or have the ability to take time off without financial burden.