Soldier Girls, dir. Nick Broomfield & Joan Churchill, USA 1981, 87 min.
Book tickets
Contemporary Films 75th Anniversary
Nick Broomfield and Joan Churchill’s riveting documentary, shot over 3 months, following a group of women going through basic training for the US Army.
Fifty started out but only thirty made it through to the end. They concentrate on three of the young women: an 18-year old black woman whose constant giggling and grins drive the platoon sergeant to distraction, another who provides encouragement and support to the others who find it hard, and a third woman who also finds she cannot tolerate army life but is more inhibited. You see each of them change as they face the challenges and rigours before them, all captured with startling intimacy by Broomfield and Churchill.
As Broomfield states on his own website: “Joan and I went through Basic Training for 14 weeks. Fred Wiseman lent us a tape recorder. [D.A.] Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus lent us a cutting room. We only got funding after it was shot. We both lost 20 pounds making it – it was so hot.”
After the screening directors Nick Broomfield (in person) and Joan Churchill (via live Zoom), will discuss the film.
Nick Broomfield and Joan Churchill’s riveting documentary, shot over 3 months, following a group of women going through basic training for the US Army.
Fifty started out but only thirty made it through to the end. They concentrate on three of the young women: an 18-year old black woman whose constant giggling and grins drive the platoon sergeant to distraction, another who provides encouragement and support to the others who find it hard, and a third woman who also finds she cannot tolerate army life but is more inhibited. You see each of them change as they face the challenges and rigours before them, all captured with startling intimacy by Broomfield and Churchill.
As Broomfield states on his own website: “Joan and I went through Basic Training for 14 weeks. Fred Wiseman lent us a tape recorder. [D.A.] Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus lent us a cutting room. We only got funding after it was shot. We both lost 20 pounds making it – it was so hot.”
After the screening directors Nick Broomfield (in person) and Joan Churchill (via live Zoom), will discuss the film.
Book tickets
Thu, 10 Sep 2026
Cinema 1
06:30 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 1
- Both our Cinemas have step free access from The Mall and are accessible by ramp
- We have 1 wheelchair allocated space with a seat for a companion
- 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 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.
Members+ and all Patrons gain free entry to all cinema screenings, exhibitions, talks, and more.
Join today as a Member+ for £25/month.
