A Man Escaped + A Man Restored a Broken Work + Q&A

In her silent video, "A Man Restored a Broken Work" (2015) (22 mins), Becky Beasley mediates on restoration as a supplement of artistic production. The film methodically documents the repair of one of her early sculptural woodworks, which had previously been broken in transit.

The film is modelled on Robert Bresson's film, "A Condemned Man Escaped" (1956) (98 mins), which is an almost-silent (subtitled) film, with occasional, minimal dialogue. Both film titles reveal their outcomes, and both are focused on the hand and the cool observation of processes of making. We are delighted to screen both films in this unique double bill, to be viewed under relaxed conditions and with an interval and post-screening Q&A with Hastings Own artist, Becky Beasley.

'A Man Escaped' is based on the true story of a Gestapo prisoner who escaped from prison just hours before his scheduled execution, Robert Bresson’s film is a suspenseful realist drama and a moving metaphorical fable about chance and redemption.

Perhaps most remarkably, Bresson (himself a former prisoner of war) conveys how the significance of everything is transformed by incarceration; sounds offer information, and objects become potential tools for escape.

Becky Beasley is Professor of Fine Art, Goldsmiths College, London, and is represented internationally by Plan B Gallery, Berlin and Francesca Minini Gallery, Milan. She received a late autism diagnosis in 2021 and is a passionate role model and advocate for autism understanding.

Beasley has an internationally recognised art practice. She received a Paul Hamlyn Artist's Award in 2018 and was a finalist for the Freelands Award for Mid-Career Female Artists in 2023.

Her forthcoming touring exhibition, A Gentle Man (Part II) (1975-2029), opens at QUAD, Derby on March 14th and tours to Bluecoat, Liverpool (September 2026) and John Hansard Gallery, Southampton (February 2027). Tour dates and advance access information is available here : www.beckybeasley.com

This special Hastings Own takes place during Autism Awareness Month and is part of our Divergence Film Festival.

Hastings Own is a new screening strand shining a light on home-grown talent from Hastings and East Sussex. Special thanks to the filmmakers and musicians for sponsoring this event to support the Electric Palace Cinema.
For more infomation see #supporttheEP.

A relaxed screening is where people can watch a film in a relaxed environment. The lights are low instead of completely off, so you can still see where you're going. The volume is a little lower than a standard screening and you can move around the cinema freely as you wish during the screening.

You can leave the cinema room during the screening and return without having to worry. You can make noise, stim, and enjoy yourself. There is a friendly atmosphere and there are people around if you need any help. You will feel safe and welcome here.

At Electric Palace, we think the cinema should be for everyone, that's why we offer relaxed screenings. 

Also, in partnership with Aspens' Roebuck Enterprises* we are able to provide 10 FREE parking spaces available from 2pm - 6pm for monthly relaxed screening customers on a first come first served basis.

Just email Paula.Taylor@aspens.org.uk to request one. Aspens' Roebuck Enterprises in Hastings offers a variety of creative and skills workshops for people on the autism spectrum, providing development and enjoyment and the opportunity to sell their products - including the delicious artisan cake we serve each week at The Electric Palace.

How you can support the Electric Palace:

• Book a ticket to a screening.
• Become an official Friend of the Electric Palace
• Hire the cinema for a private party
• Buy a gift voucher
• Donate to the cinema
• Sign up to receive our enewsletter
• Play our piano before a screening and see the film for free!
• Support us on social media by sharing our posts and events
• Find out more about our ticket prices
• Problem booking online? See our FAQs

Thank you.