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RIO FOREVER: VARDA FILM CLUB X LA CINEMAÍZ PRESENT: MURS MURS

VARDA FILM CLUB X LA CINEMAÍZ PRESENT: MURS MURS

Mur Murs


Often dubbed "the mural capital of the world", since the 1930s Los Angeles, California has been home to literally thousands of outsized outdoor artworks, from publicly funded projects and graffitied depictions of popular sporting figures to world-famous examples of the so-called Chicano Art Movement: massive, colourful independent artworks often depicting religious and/or anti-Imperialist themes.


In 1981, while shooting a documentary about a single mother living in the city, French filmmaker Agnes Varda became fascinated with LA's mural culture. The result was Mur Murs - a pun on murmur, but also the French word for "wall(s)" - a vivid, joyful and gloriously enthusiastic exploration featuring interviews with mural creators and local residents, music by confrontational Chicano punk band Los Illegals and typically insightful reflections from Varda on community and its role in resisting state oppression.


Screening with a contextualising introduction, Mur Murs plays as part of our ongoing Varda Film Club, a tribute to one of the film world's great rebel artists.



RIO FOREVER:

At The Rio, we're proud to be the UK's longest-running cinema - a place where films have been screened, shared and loved since 1909. In 2026, we mark 50 years of being run by and for our community, and we're celebrating with a 6 month-long programme we're calling RIO FOREVER. Launching in April 2026, RIO FOREVER honours the Rio as a living part of Hackney's cultural and social history.

We'll be showcasing what the Rio does best: bold, eclectic programming; archival gems; and gatherings that bring people together. Throughout the year, we're inviting filmmakers, artists and cultural agitators to dive into our archive of 50 years of cinema programming and choose a title to reintroduce to the public. Each headline screening will act as a fundraiser to help maintain our beautiful, historic building and ensure the Rio remains an inclusive, vibrant, community-run space for generations to come.


IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BUILDHOLLYWOOD

RIO FOREVER: VARDA FILM CLUB X LA CINEMAÍZ PRESENT: MURS MURS

  • Runtime: 120 minutes
  • Director: Agnes Varda
  • Year: 1981
  • Rating: (No Rating)
  • Film

Event Key:

  • SO Sold Out
  • PP Pink Palace
  • SP Special Event
  • CM Classic Matinee
  • QA Q+A / Discussion
  • FF Family Flicks
  • HoH Hard of Hearing
  • RS Relaxed Screening
  • CB Carers + Baby
  • NoAds No Ads or Trailers
  • RF Rio Forever