The Long Play Sessions : Samira Ahmed with ‘A Hard Day’s Night’

Join us on 11 June at 7:00 pm at ICMP’s Queen’s Park venue for a special in‑conversation event with award‑winning journalist, writer, and broadcaster Samira Ahmed, as she discusses with Daniel Rachel her brand‑new book in the BFI Film Classics series:
A Hard Day’s Night – her deep dive into the Beatles’ groundbreaking 1964 film.

In this intimate interview, Samira will explore how A Hard Day’s Night—originally created to capture the Beatles’ explosive rise—has become a genuine cinematic classic. Drawing from her lifelong love for the film and her remarkable 2023 discovery of the earliest known full Beatles concert recording, Samira examines how the movie captured the shifting cultural landscape of 1960s Britain and redefined modern celebrity.

Expect insights into:

• The film’s innovative blend of documentary realism and playful rebellion
• How Beatlemania transformed ideas of fame, identity, and media
• The film’s lasting influence on generations of artists, fans, and filmmakers
• Samira’s personal connection to the Beatles and how the film shaped her own journey into journalism

About the author:
Samira Ahmed presents Front Row on BBC Radio 4 and Newswatch on BBC One, and has created acclaimed documentaries including Art of Persia and I Dressed Ziggy Stardust. In 2020 she was named Audio Presenter of the Year by the Broadcasting Press Guild. A Hard Day’s Night is her first book.

Whether you’re a Beatles fan, a film lover, or simply curious about the cultural forces that shaped modern Britain, this is an evening not to miss.