Paradise Lost + Q&A

Among the ruins of yesterday's future, what might we learn about the forces that shape a city?

When filmmaker Andy Howlett set out with his camera to document the final days of the condemned Central Library complex, little did he know the rabbit hole he was stumbling into. Decried by Birmingham City Council as an eyesore, but hailed by Historic England as an exemplar of postwar design, the story of John Madin's concrete colossus and the fight to save it is a curious one. In this psychogeographic detective story, Howlett weaves together archive footage with on-the-ground explorations in an attempt to figure out why we lost Paradise and how it might be regained.

After the success of Paradise Lost at our online festival in the Spring, we’re delighted to be presenting the first ever cinema screening, and welcoming Andy back for another Q&A.