Centre member Åsa Jansson will be speaking after the showing of The Elephant Man as part of the London SadFest, 3-5 March. London SadFest is a unique film festival that celebrates and explores the world of sad films. Åsa’s talk will explore the question of useful sadness within the context of the history of sadness and melancholy in modern Britain, inviting the audience to consider whether the twenty-first century pursuit of happiness and our growing aversion to sadness prevent us also from feeling compassionate sadness, the kind of sadness that inspires us see past that which divides us and reach out to our fellow human beings.

More info about SadFest:

The first weekend in March will see the first ever London SadFest – a film festival dedicated to only showing sad films. As far as we know there is no other film festival like it in the world.

We really want this to be festival – in the sense of coming to together in a sense of community and celebration. That’s why the festival will include speakers, music and spoken word events to compliment the films.

Why did we decide to do a festival of sad films? Festival organiser, Steve Todd says “I love really sad films. I love the way they get us to face things that we usually run away from. In fact there are so many true sad stories, but we all seem to be doing our best to pretend like they don’t exist – maybe we’re scared we will be overwhelmed. I think if you can bear to face and open up to sadness then you find something wonderful. Maybe you call it catharsis or love. There is a kind of joy in being able to care, being able to feel for others. It’s the heart of compassion. Or as the late Leonard Cohen said ‘There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.’”

When: March 3-5

Where: Genesis Cinema, 93-95 Mile End Rd, E1 4UJ

Website: http://www.londonsadfest.com

Tickets: https://www.tickettailor.com/checkout/view-event/id/82160/chk/dfcb

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/londonsadfest/

Twitter: @LondonSadFest