August in the Water, dir. Gakuryu Ishii, Japan 1995, Japanese with English subtitles, 117 min.
Book tickets
The city of Fukuoka is plagued by misfortune; a severe drought, a mysterious illness turning citizens into stone, and meteorites plummeting down onto its mountains. Also in Fukuoka is Izumi; a high school transfer whose status as a championed diver captivates classmates. During a diving competition, Izumi suffers a near-fatal accident that awakens mystical powers within her. She reaches an attunement with nature, rendering her able to communicate telepathically with dolphins and organisms alike. What ensues is teenage angst and apathy, veiled in an ethereal yearning to connect with the world we inhabit.
Screened less than a handful of times in the UK, August in the Water has gained internet-cult status as a hard-to-reach film that must be seen. Absent from streaming platforms and rarely available on DVD, its metaphysical themes, moody atmosphere, and otherworldly synth score linger in the minds of those who watch it – making it a film still frequently spoken about today, 30 years after its release.
This screening will be introduced by season curator Aisha Rattan.
Screened less than a handful of times in the UK, August in the Water has gained internet-cult status as a hard-to-reach film that must be seen. Absent from streaming platforms and rarely available on DVD, its metaphysical themes, moody atmosphere, and otherworldly synth score linger in the minds of those who watch it – making it a film still frequently spoken about today, 30 years after its release.
This screening will be introduced by season curator Aisha Rattan.
Aisha Rattan is an MFA Film Studies, Programming and Curation student at the National Film and Television School. Her curatorial practice explores the intersection of film, art, and philosophy.
Book tickets
Thu, 26 Nov 2026
Cinema 2
08:30 pm
Ticket information
- All tickets that do not require ID (full price, disabled, income support) can be printed at home or stored in email
- For aged-based concession tickets (under 25, student) please bring relevant ID to collect at the front desk before the event.
Access information
Cinema 2
- Both our Cinemas have step free access from The Mall and are accessible by ramp
- All seats are hard back, have a crushed velvet feel and they do not recline
- These are our seat size dimensions: W 42 x D 45 x H 52
- Arm rest either side of the seat dimensions: L 27 x W 7 x H 20
for the following requirements:
- We have a removable seat to create a wheelchair allocated space, please contact to organise this prior to the date and time of the screening
- We have unassigned seating. If you require a specific seat, please reserve this in advance
- Free for visitors where ticket prices are a barrier, please email
All films are ad-free and 18+ unless otherwise stated, and start with a 10 min. curated selection of trailers.
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