Beasts of No Nation. 2015. USA. Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga. Courtesy of Netflix. 137 min.
Screenings
Part of the series The Contenders 2015

Beasts of No Nation with Cary Fukunaga

  • This is a past program

“Based on the critically acclaimed novel by Nigerian-American author Uzodinma Iweala, Beasts of No Nation uses recent sectarian conflict as the basis for a timeless story, immersing us in the joys, fears, and resilient spirit of one remarkable boy. In an unnamed African nation, young Agu's world of happiness and security is upended suddenly in the maelstrom of an unnamed civil war. After seeing his family killed at the hands of a military junta that has overthrown the country's government, Agu (newcomer Abraham Attah) flees his village. Lost in the jungle and nearing starvation, he is captured by a rebel faction, the Native Defence Forces, led by the charismatic but lethal Commandant (Idris Elba, recently seen at the Festival in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom). Under Commandant's control, Agu is forced to fight battles and commit acts beyond his comprehension. Yet, throughout, Agu clings to his fragile humanity” (Toronto International Film Festival program notes).

A Q&A with director Cary Fukunaga follows the screening, moderated by Rajendra Roy, The Celeste Bartos Chief Curator of Film, The Museum of Modern Art, New York.

Beasts of No Nation. 2015. USA. Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga. Courtesy of Netflix. 137 min.

See all films in The Contenders 2015 series.

Tickets

$15 General Admission 
$10 Hammer Members with valid discount code

Advanced, online ticket sales for this film are closed. On-site tickets are available the night of the screening on a first-come, first-served basis. Box office opens 1 hour prior to screening start time.

Tickets can be picked up starting at 6:30 p.m. the night of the screening. Any unclaimed tickets will be released at 7:15 p.m. A standby line for a limited number of tickets will be available the night of the program.

Refunds cannot be provided.

Attending this program?

Location: Billy Wilder Theater at the Hammer Museum
Parking: Under the museum, $3 flat rate after 6 p.m. (cash or check only)
Food and Drink: Enjoy happy hour in our open courtyard café, AMMO at the Hammer beginning at 4 p.m. Food and drink may not be carried into the Billy Wilder Theater. 
Membership: Members receive a discount on tickets and priority seating. Sign up for membership today, and you’ll receive a discount code for The Contenders with your confirmation email.

This film program is organized by Rajendra Roy, The Celeste Bartos Chief Curator of Film, and Sean Egan, Producer, Film Exhibitions and Projects, The Museum of Modern Art, New York.

The Hammer Museum’s presentation is made possible by The Billy and Audrey L. Wilder Foundation.

Media sponsorship is provided by The Hollywood Reporter.