The Dam12A

Directed by Ali Cherri | Sudan | 2023 | 1h 20m | Arabic w/ English subtitles | Starring Maher El Khair, Mudathir Musa, Santino Aguer Ding, Abo Algassim Sir Alkhatim, Ayman Sharif

Each evening after work, a Sudanese bricklayer wanders into the desert to work on a mysterious construction made out of mud. While the Sudanese people rise to claim their freedom, his creation starts to take a life of its own. Lebanese artist and filmmaker Ali Cherri’s quietly political first feature is an enigmatic and allegorical film with flourishes of magical realism.

Reviews

‘The Dam is an enigmatic and often eerie mood piece which incorporates elements of the supernatural as it weaves a poignant political allegory of revolution.’
Andrew Murray, The Upcoming

‘Eerie, hallucinatory tale of Sudan on the brink’
Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

Sorry - you missed it!

We showed The Dam between June 9, 2023 and June 15, 2023.

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What else is on?

Today (Thursday 24th April)

15:15

The End 12A
Deaf/HOH Subtitles
2h 29m
In a luxurious bunker, a family clings to normality after Earth becomes uninhabitable. But when a stranger arrives, their fragile world unravels. Joshua Oppenheimer directs this post-apocalyptic musical starring George MacKay, Tilda Swinton, and Michael Shannon.

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18:15

Rave on for the Avon 12A
1h 26m
A community of wild swimmers in Bristol grapple with the impact of raw sewage pollution in the River Avon and take on water companies and local authorities in a fight for cleaner, healthier rivers. Screening followed by a Director Q&A and panel discussion.

Book here

20:45

Black Bag 15
1h 34m
When top agent Kathryn Woodhouse is accused of treason, her husband must choose between loyalty to her or his country. Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender ignite the screen in Steven Soderbergh’s seductive spy thriller.

Book here


Tomorrow (Friday 25th April)

15:30

Mr. Burton 12A
2h 4m
A young Richard Burton’s talent is discovered by a teacher who changes his life forever. This heartfelt drama, starring Toby Jones and Lesley Manville, explores the early years of the Welsh acting legend.

Book here

18:15

Black Bag 15
1h 34m
When top agent Kathryn Woodhouse is accused of treason, her husband must choose between loyalty to her or his country. Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender ignite the screen in Steven Soderbergh’s seductive spy thriller.

Book here

20:30

The End 12A
2h 29m
In a luxurious bunker, a family clings to normality after Earth becomes uninhabitable. But when a stranger arrives, their fragile world unravels. Joshua Oppenheimer directs this post-apocalyptic musical starring George MacKay, Tilda Swinton, and Michael Shannon.

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 don’t show adverts, just a couple of trailers, so don't be late as the film itself starts very close to the advertised time!