This screening will feature an introduction by Ben Arogundade, author of Hollywood Blackout. Copies of the book, signed by Ben, will be available to buy on the day.
In this Hollywood classic, A sheltered and manipulative Southern belle and a roguish profiteer face off in a turbulent romance as the society around them crumbles with the end of slavery and is rebuilt during the Civil War and Reconstruction periods.
On 29 February 1940, African American star Hattie McDaniel became the first non-white actor to win an Academy Award. The moment marked the beginning of Hollywood’s reluctant move toward diversity and inclusion. Since then, minorities and women have struggled to attain Academy Awards recognition within a system designed to discriminate against them. For the first time, Hollywood Blackout reveals the untold story of their tumultuous journey from exclusion to inclusion; from segregation to celebration.
BEN AROGUNDADE is an award-winning author, journalist, voiceover artist and broadcaster from London. His writing has featured in The Times, The Guardian, The Evening Standard, Elle and GQ, amongst others. He has authored and edited 12 books, and has voiced audiobooks for titles by George Orwell, Charles Darwin and Bernadine Evaristo to name a few. He also writes and presents radio shows for the BBC World Service. Ben’s new book, Hollywood Blackout: Race, Diversity and the Oscars, is out now.
For more context and background on the impact of Hattie McDaniel's win, you can read Ben's longform essay here.
Please note we are unable to offer step-free access to the new Screen 3 and Atrium Bar while we await the installation of our platform lift. Access to the new bar & screen currently requires taking 4 steps up from the box office level, followed by 3 steps down.
