This is a past event
Gertrude Lowthian Bell, sometimes called "the female Lawrence of Arabia" was a British adventurer, archaeologist and political powerhouse, who helped shape the modern Middle East after World War I.
Recruited by British Military Intelligence, she played a significant – often unrecognised – role in British imperial policy-making in the Middle East, notably Iraq. Openly critical of colonial practices, Bell’s insights are a singular, prescient prism through which to understand both the Middle East and the all-male inner sanctum of British colonial power.
Reflecting on the life, work and character of this remarkable woman, directors Zeva Oelbaum and Sabine Krayenbühl weave together a rich tapestry of fascinating archive alongside Bell’s writings, letters to her parents voiced by Tilda Swinton, and testimony from peers including TE Lawrence and Vita Sackville-West. Though writing a century ago, the acute contemporary relevance of Bell’s words is astonishing – at times even chilling.
"Archive footage and first hand letter sources paint a vivid picture. Stunning." - Sunday Times