Why are we so afraid of the dark that we need to brighten the world around us?
Shot at night under urban lighting, narrated by Lily Cole, "Night Burns Like Cigarettes" questions the way we consume the night as if it were nothing but cigarettes. As we have taken the habit of over-consuming, so have we taken the habit of over-lighting our cities for reasons that may not be acceptable. "Night Burns Like Cigarettes" is a testimony of love for the night, threatened by disappearance. The night makes us human and allows us to question the boundaries of the self. Meanwhile, our fear of darkness and of the unknown haunts our socio-political history-old story. Hence, the night is being arrested in the mural by Banksy that sits in the Barbican tunnel. British-Zimbabwean singer Kwaye reclaims our right to darkness via an enchanting dance performance. "Night Burns Like Cigarettes" is a nocturnal ballad in a dreamt London, better appreciated eyes open.
Dark Skies 2026: Night Burns Like Cigarettes (U) + post film talk by Simon Thorp
Sat 7 Feb 2026 15:30
71 minutes
Overview
BEAM is delighted to be part of Dark Skies 2026! This year, we are hosting a special screening of 'Night Burns Like Cigarettes'. After the film, there will be a talk presented by Simon Thorp, lighting designer at LAPD, that reflects on the film and considers if darkness could really play a greater part in our future world.