2023 | DCP | MAL | D: Badrul Ismail Hisham | Malay and English with English Subtitles

Set within the span of a day, Maryam follows a 50-year-old art gallery owner from an aristocratic Malay family as she seeks approval to marry Damian, her younger boyfriend from Sierra Leone. Despite her independence and success, Maryam must navigate a labyrinth of formalities and expectations – both familial and institutional – that govern her right to choose. Along the way, she faces a series of encounters that quietly expose the underlying tensions of race, class, and gender in the society around her.

Maryam is the debut feature by Malaysian director Badrul Hisham Ismail. The film premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam in 2023 and went on to win Best Actress and Best Original Film at the Asian Film Festival in Rome in 2024.

This film is listed as Unclassified 15+ and contains strong sexual references and mature themes. Patrons must be age 15+ to attend this screening.

Presented as part of Reciprocal

Reciprocal is Asian Film Archive’s (AFA) annual collaborative film program that spotlights the archival collections of AFA and a partnering archive. Inspired by and responding to the resonance of each other’s featured collections, the curated line-up explores the creative intersections and juxtapositions between the preserved national, regional, and international film and moving image, offering perspectives on archival issues and concerns confronting contemporary archivists.

Explore the Reciprocal program and book a 3-film pass here.

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August

Fri 1 Aug

7:00 PM

Price

$16 Full / $12 Concession

Arc Cinema

1 McCoy Circuit Acton, Australian Capital Territory, 2601

Information

Transport

Accessibility

We are situated in the heart of Canberra on McCoy Circuit, Acton, between the shores of Lake Burley Griffin and the grounds of the Australian National University. Just a 10-minute walk from the city and state bus interchanges.

BY BUS - WEEKDAYS

Note: the NFSA is open daily 10.00am – 4.00pm (except Christmas Day and New Year's Day), and outside those times for special film screenings and events – see our upcoming events calendar.
ON THE NUMBER 6
Route R6 runs between Woden Interchange and City West approximately every 10 to 20 minutes from 5.30am to 11.00pm weekdays. To use this service to visit the NFSA, alight at London Cct after Edinburgh Ave and proceed 600 metres along Gordon Street to the entrance on McCoy circuit.
ON THE NUMBER 53
Route 53 runs between National Museum Lennox Crossing and Dickson Shops Cowper Street on average every 30 minutes from 7.00am to 10.10pm weekdays. Bus alights at Liversidge St behind the NFSA.
Transport Canberra's Routes and Timetables site can help you find the most practical way to our venue (and others).
ON THE CULTURE LOOP FREE SHUTTLE BUS
The free Culture Loop shuttle bus stops at NewActon (on Edinburgh Avenue), within walking distance of the NFSA.

BY BUS - WEEKENDS

Note: the NFSA is open daily 10.00am – 4.00pm (except Christmas Day and New Year's Day), and outside those times for special film screenings and events – see our upcoming events calendar.
ON THE NUMBER 6
Route R6 runs between Woden Interchange and City West approximately every 10 to 20 minutes from 7.00am to 9.00pm weekends and public holidays. To use this service to visit the NFSA, alight at London Cct after Edinburgh Ave and proceed 600 metres along Gordon Street to the entrance on McCoy circuit.
Transport Canberra's Routes and Timetables site can help you find the most practical way to our venue (and others).
ON THE CULTURE LOOP FREE SHUTTLE BUS
The free Culture Loop shuttle bus stops at NewActon (on Edinburgh Avenue), within walking distance of the NFSA.

PARKING

There is dedicated visitor parking on the premises between McCoy Circuit and Ellery Cresent (paid parking, up to three hours). There is also limited free parking surrounding the building on Liversidge Street.
We recommend using public transport in peak times.

Accessible parking is available off McCoy Circuit.
Wheelchair/accessible access via Liversidge Street.