Clio Barnard’s curated season of the northern female lens begins with this 1961 classic.
Jo and her mother, Helen, live a transient life in the tenement houses of Manchester, continually moving in an attempt to stay one step ahead of angry landlords. Left by herself as her mother spends evenings away with her latest boyfriend, Jo meets Jimmy, a black sailor on shore leave, and starts a brief relationship which is abruptly ended when Jimmy skips town.
As Helen moves in with her new husband, Jo sets out to lead an independent life and soon starts an unusual, loving relationship with a young, closeted gay man named Geoffrey who is trying to escape problems of his own.
“A near-classic of post adolescent confusion and longing.” – The New Yorker
- Director: Tony Richardson
- Cast: Rita Tushingham, Murray Melvin, Dora Bryan
- Language: English
Northern Soul—Clio Barnard curates a special season at Pictureville dedicated to northern female filmmaking.
Northern Soul is a celebration of northern women in cinema—as writers, directors, producers, characters and trailblazers. Presented at Pictureville, the season is curated for Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture by Clio Barnard, the West Yorkshire-raised writer-director of The Arbor, centred on Bradford writer Andrea Dunbar, The Selfish Giant and Ali & Ava.
The selections in Northern Soul span six decades, from a 60s British New Wave classic to the latest feature from one of our most exciting directors. They transport us everywhere from the Yorkshire Moors to the Wigan Casino, Blackpool Beach to the North East. And together, they showcase the diversity of perspective, experience and imagination that defines the northern female voice in film.
Northern Soul is part of Bradford: A City of Film, a programme of independent film across the Bradford District. Co-Produced by Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture and National Science and Media Museum with the support of the BFI, awarding funds from the National Lottery.
Age Guidance
12A
