A new season of films and special events will explore freedom, resistance and solidarity, whilst also commissioning a Highland poet.
This autumn, Eden Court Cinema presents Cinema Against Fascism – a powerful season of films and events asking what freedom means in an age of rising hate, division and authoritarianism and how communities around the world are shaping more just and hopeful futures. As part of the season, the venue has also launched an open call to poets for a special funded commission.
Eden Court’s project is one of 60 community-led commissions across the UK forming part of Our Freedom: Then and Now, a national programme supported by Arts Council England. The campaign commemorates the 80th anniversary of VE and VJ Day by inviting communities to reflect on the past and reimagine the future through creativity.
From landmark classics to urgent contemporary documentaries, Eden Court’s season runs across September, October and November 2025 and explores themes of resistance, justice, migration, identity and solidarity across the 80 years since the end of WW2. Some screenings will be accompanied by special introductions and guest speakers, in events designed to spark meaningful conversations about the challenges of freedom past and present.
Highlights of the season include:
- The March on Rome (Tue 2 Sep), Mark Cousins’ new essay film exploring the ascent of fascism in Italy.
- Cabaret (Sat 6 Sep), Bob Fosse’s dazzling musical set against the rise of fascism in 1930s Berlin.
- Mr Nobody Against Putin (Wed 10 Sep), a brilliant and daring investigation into democracy as a brave teacher goes undercover to film the militarisation of his pupils.
- The Marriage of Maria Braun (Sun 5 Oct), an extraordinary work of New German Cinema, presented by the German Filmklub.
- Nae Pasaran (Sun 23 Nov), featuring a Q+A with director Felipe Bustos Sierra, telling the remarkable true story of Scottish workers who stood in solidarity with Chile under Pinochet.
- V for Vendetta (Sat 29 Nov), a modern British classic adapted from Alan Moore’s graphic novel, and exploring resistance, surveillance and rebellion.
The season also features acclaimed international works such as The Zone of Interest, Jonathan Glazer’s Oscar-winning portrait of domestic life at Auschwitz, Under the Flags, the Sun, exploring dictatorship in Paraguay, and Still We Rise, an Australian documentary looking at a year of incendiary protest and revolutionary change for Aboriginal activists.
Paul MacDonald-Taylor, Head of Film, Eden Court, said,
“This season lands at a time when the far right is on the rise throughout Europe and the US, powered by social media and outspoken minority views which have disproportionately loud platforms. With Cinema Against Fascism we are exploring the rise of fascism from its roots before World War 2 to the present day, and the ways in which freedom has been taken. We will also celebrate the people around the world who are fighting to have their voices heard.”
As part of the programme, Eden Court is also inviting applications from poets for a special commissioned work responding to the question “What does freedom mean to you?” The selected poet will create and perform a new poem inspired by local stories and perspectives, and work with Eden Court to curate a linked screening during the season. Poets interested in the commission have until Wednesday 24 September to apply, and can download a full brief here.
Susannah Armitage, Senior Producer, Eden Court, said,
“We’re delighted to be able to offer a poetry commission that will give space to artists to respond in their own words to the urgent question of what freedom means today. By pairing poetry with this timely cinema season, we hope to create a powerful moment that connects Highland voices with global conversations.”
Full Programme On Sale Now: www.eden-court.co.uk/cinema-against-fascism
- Tue 2 Sep – The March on Rome
- Sat 6 Sep – Cabaret
- Wed 10 Sep – Mr Nobody Against Putin
- Sat 20 Sep – Ruins to Resistance – UK archive film programme
- Sat 27 Sep – Marathon Man
- Sun 5 Oct – The Marriage of Maria Braun – special event with German Filmklub
- Wed 15 Oct – Under the Flags, the Sun
- Sun 19 Oct – The Zone of Interest
- Thu 23 Oct – Still We Rise / You Are on Indian Land
- 27 – 30 Oct – The Librarians
- Sun 2 Nov – Defence of the Realm
- Tue 4 Nov – Nationalité: Immigré
- Mon 17 Nov – Reifezeit (Time of Maturity)
- Wed 19 Nov – A Foreign Affair
- Sun 23 Nov – Nae Pasaran – plus director Q+A with Felipe Bustos Sierra
- Sat 29 Nov – V for Vendetta