Distant Voices, Still Lives

Friday, November 17 - Thursday, November 30, 2023

“A soaring vision of solidarity, creativity, and humanity… both a great cinematic memory piece and a profound musical.” — Richard Brody, The New Yorker

Terence Davies’ loosely autobiographical feature debut is an evocative account of working-class life in Liverpool, England during the ‘40s and ‘50s. Births, marriages and deaths — and an expressive use of music — provide the underpinning for a beautiful, heartbreaking, resonant but never sentimental film. 

Now regarded as a masterpiece of British cinema, and boasting a startling performance from Pete Postlethwaite (ROMEO + JULIET, INCEPTION) as the head of the family, DISTANT VOICES, STILL LIVES has been treated to a glorious 4K restoration by the British Film Institute.

Winner of the Cannes ‘88 International Critics’ Prize

  • Country UK
  • Year 1988
  • Running Time 85 minutes
  • Format 4K Restoration
  • Distributor AGFA
  • Director Terence Davies
  • Cast Pete Postlethwaite, Freda Dowie, Lorraine Ashbourne
  • Accessibility Assistive Listening, T-Coil

IFC Center does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. In addition to the synopses, trailers and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches.