David Byrne’s American Utopia12A

Directed by Spike Lee | USA | 2020 | 1h 46m

David Byrne, former frontman of Talking Heads, reflects on human connection and how we make sense of life in this concert film, based on his Broadway show of the same name. Directed by Spike Lee, the film combines Byrne’s music with dance and staging to create an immersive piece of cinema, filmed with a strong sense of urgency. The show features performances of Byrne’s solo work and Talking Heads classics, alongside pieces referencing James Baldwin, Janelle Monáe and Kurt Schwitters.

Reviews

‘Bolstered by Lee’s trenchant, intimate direction, Byrne reframes a peerless setlist of songs as a testament to hope and humanity that implores himself and his audience to keep going.’
★★★★★
Beth Webb, Empire Magazine

‘It would have been a miraculous celebration of neighbourly love even if it hadn’t been released in the middle of a pandemic. But, in these circumstances, that sense of temporary relief feels intoxicating.’
★★★★★
Clarisse Loughery, The Independent

Sorry - you missed it!

We showed David Byrne’s American Utopia between August 21, 2026 and August 26, 2026.

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What else is on?

Tomorrow (Saturday 26th September)

15:15

Just an Illusion 12A
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18:00

The Incomer 12A
1h 42m
A man and his sister survive on a remote Scottish island, hunting seabirds and retelling ancestral stories, until a council worker arrives to move them to the mainland. Domhnall Gleeson stars in Louis Paxton's Sundance award-winning comedy.

Book here

20:30

Leviticus 15
1h 28m
Two teenage boys in an isolated Australian town are hunted by an entity that takes the form of the person they desire most – each other. Adrian Chiarella's assured coming-of-age horror confronts religious fanaticism and its cost to queer youth.

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Sunday 27th September

11:30

Kiki's Delivery Service U
1h 44m | English Dubbed Version
A beloved coming-of-age story from the legendary Studio Ghibli about a resourceful young witch who uses her broom to create a delivery service, only to lose her gift of flight in a moment of self-doubt. Screening plus crafted activities presented by Tiny Ideas Festival.

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15:00

Women on the Verge of a Nervous 15
1h 29m | Spanish w/ English subtitles
Pepa’s frantic search for her vanished lover spirals into a whirlwind of jealous fiancées, hostage-taking terrorists, and absurd chaos. Almodóvar’s breakthrough comedy dazzles with surreal humour, bold melodrama, and a riot of colour, energy, and eccentricity.

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17:15

NTLive: The Misanthrope 15 TBC
2h
Sandra Oh (Killing Eve) stars in Martin Crimp's razor-sharp reimagining of Molière's The Misanthrope, playing a novelist who refuses to lie in a world built on it. Indhu Rubasingham directs this National Theatre production, filmed live on stage.

Book here

20:00

The Incomer 12A
1h 42m
A man and his sister survive on a remote Scottish island, hunting seabirds and retelling ancestral stories, until a council worker arrives to move them to the mainland. Domhnall Gleeson stars in Louis Paxton's Sundance award-winning comedy.

Book here


Plan your visit

Our beautiful art deco inspired auditorium can be found just off East Oxford's Cowley Road.We are open 7 days a week. We open the cinema and box office 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each film, and the Box Office then closes 10 minutes after the film starts. We only show a few adverts – less than most cinemas – and we only play a couple of trailers, so please don’t be late as the film itself starts very close to the advertised time!