About this Event
Join us on 11 June at 7:00 pm at ICMP’s Queen’s Park venue for a special in‑conversation event with award‑winning journalist, writer, and broadcaster Samira Ahmed, as she discusses her brand‑new book in the BFI Film Classics series:
A Hard Day’s Night – her deep dive into the Beatles’ groundbreaking 1964 film.
The evening will be hosted by Daniel Rachel, former musician-turned-award-winning and bestselling author whose previous works include: Isle of Noises: Conversations with Great British Songwriters, Walls Come Tumbling Down: The Music & Politics of Rock Against Racism, 2 Tone and Red Wedge and most recently This Ain't Rock 'n' Roll: Pop Music, The Swastika and The Third Reich (nominated for The Penderyn Music Book prize).
In this intimate interview, Samira will explore how A Hard Day’s Night—originally created to capture the Beatles’ explosive rise—has become a genuine cinematic classic. Drawing from her lifelong love for the film and her remarkable 2023 discovery of the earliest known full Beatles concert recording, Samira examines how the movie captured the shifting cultural landscape of 1960s Britain and redefined modern celebrity.
Expect insights into:
- The film’s innovative blend of documentary realism and playful rebellion
- How Beatlemania transformed ideas of fame, identity, and media
- The film’s lasting influence on generations of artists, fans, and filmmakers
- Samira’s personal connection to the Beatles and how the film shaped her own journey into journalism
About the author:
Samira Ahmed presents Front Row on BBC Radio 4 and Newswatch on BBC One, and has created acclaimed documentaries including Art of Persia and I Dressed Ziggy Stardust. In 2020 she was named Audio Presenter of the Year by the Broadcasting Press Guild. A Hard Day’s Night is her first book.
Whether you’re a Beatles fan, a film lover, or simply curious about the cultural forces that shaped modern Britain, this is an evening not to miss.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
ICMP | London, Queen's Park, 76-78 Salusbury Road, London, United Kingdom
GBP 12.50
