The Marriage of Maria Braun15

Directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder | Germany | 1979 | 2h | German w/ English subtitles | Starring Hanna Schygulla, Klaus Löwitsch, Ivan Desny, Gisela Uhlen, Gottfried John

Maria Braun marries a young soldier during the final days of World War II, only to lose him to the chaos of war. As Germany rebuilds, so does Maria, rising through the ranks of postwar prosperity with unwavering ambition. But beneath her success lies a deep reckoning with the lingering ghosts of fascism and a society eager to rewrite its own history. Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s most internationally successful film is both a searing character study and an exploration how ambition and survival intertwine with the unspoken remnants of a dark past.

Our screening on Tuesday 27th May will be introduced by Professor Carolin Duttlinger, Professor of German Literature and Culture (University of Oxford). 

Reviews

‘Fassbinder himself was cruel and distant to those around him, particularly those who loved him, and in Maria Braun, he created an indelible monster who is perversely fascinating.’
★★★★★
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Sorry - you missed it!

We showed The Marriage of Maria Braun between May 27, 2025 and May 29, 2025.

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What else is on?

Tomorrow (Thursday 30th April)

12:30

The Drama 15
Parent + Baby Screening
1h 45m
Emma and Charlie’s wedding week descends into chaos after an unexpected revelation. With Kristoffer Borgli’s absurdist touch, Robert Pattinson and Zendaya navigate a darkly comic rom-com that’s clever, unconventional, and wickedly unpredictable.

Book here

15:30

DJ Ahmet PG
1h 39m | Macedonian & Turkish w/ English subtitles
Fifteen-year-old Ahmet navigates life in a remote Yuruk village after his mother’s death, balancing family duties and community expectations. He finds escape in techno music, which draws him closer to Aya, in a lively, heartfelt coming-of-age story.

Book here

18:00

The Magic Faraway Tree U
1h 50m
The Thompson children discover a magical tree leading to fantastical lands. Facing quirky inhabitants and wondrous adventures, they reconnect and grow closer. Enid Blyton’s beloved classic comes to life in this enchanting adaptation starring Andrew Garfield, Nicola Coughlan, and Claire Foy.

Book here

20:30

The Wicker Man 15
+ Introduction
1h 35m
A devout Christian policeman travels to Scotland’s Summerisle to investigate a missing girl. A bleakly comic folk-horror culminating in one of 1970s British cinema’s shocking finales. May Day evening screening plus an introduction by Dr Michael Goodrum.

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Friday 1st May

15:15

Orwell: 2+2=5 15
1h 59m
Oscar-nominated director Raoul Peck, collaborating with the Orwell Estate, explores George Orwell’s life and legacy through archival footage, diary readings and contemporary imagery. Engaging with 1984 and Animal Farm, this urgent documentary reveals the enduring relevance of his prophetic vision.

Book here

18:00

Miroirs No. 3 15
1h 26m | German w/ English subtitles
A young piano student survives a car crash and is taken in by a woman whose intense care turns deeply unsettling. Starring Laura Beer and directed by Christian Petzold, this haunting psychological complex drama probes trauma, memory and hidden pasts.

Book here

20:15

Father Mother Sister Brother 15
1h 50m
Acclaimed director Jim Jarmusch weaves stories across New Jersey, Dublin and Paris, where siblings reunite amid family tensions and tragedy. Starring Adam Driver, Cate Blanchett and Vicky Krieps, this Golden Lion-winning triptych blends quiet humour with poignant insight.

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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!