Join us on Wednesday 13 May 2026 for a surrealist satirical comedy, and critically lauded landmark of the Czechoslovak New Wave film movement, which, in the director’s words, is “a philosophical documentary in the form of a farce”.

Avant-garde Czech filmmaker Věra Chytilová’s Daisies (1966) - Sedmikrásky in Czech - follows two young women named ‘Marie’ as they rebel against society, claiming that since the world is “spoiled”, they will spoil themselves too. This realisation sets Marie I and II off on a journey of hedonism and anarchy, as they reject the societal norms of Prague, living selfishly (and destructively) by their own rules.

The film’s cinematography and themes work in tandem, as the chaotic energy of the Maries is mirrored by the frenetic collage-style editing, exaggerated sound effects, and colours that constantly shift between psychedelic and monochromatic. Selected by our Young Film Programmers, Daisies was chosen for its experimental nature and the playful, light-hearted way it highlights society’s expectations for how young women should behave.

Although Daisies was well received by Czech audiences on release, it was subsequently banned by the Czechoslovak government for the film’s depiction of food wastage and the girls’ ‘indecent’ behaviour. The film and director faced further retaliation after the Soviet re-invasion in 1968, with Chytilová being banned from making films for 6 years. In the years since then, Daisies is often cited as one of the best female-directed films of all time.

PRE-FILM SCRAPBOOKING SESSION [SOLD OUT]

17:15 - 18:30

The Lab, Third Floor

Fancy a little crafting before the film begins? In the spirit of Marie I and Marie II, who both scrapbook throughout Daisies, join us for a free scrapbooking session. All you need is a sketchbook or journal as we'll provide everything else!

There are limited spaces, so make sure to select the scrapbooking session when purchasing your ticket on TicketSource.