Haruki Murakami appears at the Barbican on 11 October to read from The City and Its Uncertain Walls and discuss his work with interviewer Simon McBurney. The conversation is followed by Jun Ichikawa’s 2004 film Tony Takitani, adapted from Murakami’s short story and presented from restored materials.
Sold out: the Barbican currently marks this event as sold out.
The film follows a technically gifted illustrator whose isolated life changes when he falls in love, with the story carrying themes of memory and grief. Ryuichi Sakamoto’s spare piano score adds to the film’s distinctive atmosphere. The talk runs for approximately 60 minutes and the film for approximately 75 minutes. The event is in Japanese with English subtitles.
Tickets and practical information
The listed standard price was £21.50, made up of £20 plus a £1.50 transaction fee. Members paid £16 and Young Barbican tickets were £6. Access tickets were £21.50 with a free essential companion ticket where needed; wheelchair spaces and companion booking are available through the Barbican Access Scheme. These prices do not indicate availability because the event is sold out. The film deals with themes of death and grief, and the Barbican links to BBFC guidance.
The event is in Barbican Cinema 1 at the Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS. Public transport and advance car-parking information are linked from the venue page. Cinema 1 has wheelchair spaces, companion seating and an induction loop. Event-specific age, bag and arrival guidance is not published, so check with the Barbican before travelling.
See the Barbican event page for booking, access and content guidance.
Cover image
Original AI-generated thematic illustration. It does not depict the actual event, Haruki Murakami, Simon McBurney, the film, its characters, organisers or venue.