The Education of Jane Cumming: A moving historical drama in Karlsruhe
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A historical drama about desire, exclusion and the power of truth
As part of the Pride Pictures Queer Film Festival, the Kinemathek Karlsruhe shows Sophie Heldman's award-winning historical drama The Education of Jane Cumming. The performance on October 25, 2026, takes you to Edinburgh in 1810 and tells the story of two teachers, a young student, and a scandal that shakes an entire way of life.
Edinburgh in the shadow of social norms
Jane Pirie and Marianne Woods found a private girls' boarding school with the desire for independence and a self-determined life. A young outsider, 15-year-old Jane Cumming, the illegitimate granddaughter of wealthy Lady Cumming Gordon born in India, joins this fragile community. Exclusion, social background, and colonial prejudices shape her daily life.
A staging between intimacy and despair
Sophie Heldman develops her direction as a finely observed chamber play. The dramaturgy condenses looks, silence, and unspoken feelings into a tension that builds slowly but inevitably. During the summer break, Jane develops a deep affection for the two teachers, while they cannot openly express their feelings.
With the start of the new school year, the atmosphere changes. Trust turns to suspicion, and a serious accusation arises from the need for protection. The ensuing legal battle threatens not only the boarding school but also the relationship between the two women. The historical drama makes visible how strongly queer desire was stigmatized in the early 19th century.
Acting with historical resonance
Flora Nicholson, Clare Dunne, Mia Tharia, and Fiona Shaw carry the production with an acting that does not showcase inner conflicts but makes them readable in small gestures. The stage design, costumes, and lighting evoke a world where social rules act like invisible walls. The English original version with German subtitles preserves the film's linguistic texture.
The film is based on a true case from Edinburgh, Scotland, and is connected to the story behind The Children's Hour. Its world premiere took place in 2026 in the Panorama of the Berlinale. At the Zurich Film Prize 2026, the film was awarded Best Feature Film.
Film screening with introduction and film discussion
The screening takes place in the hall of the Kinemathek Karlsruhe and is accompanied by an introduction or a film discussion. With a runtime of 114 minutes, the work unfolds a dense theatrical experience on the cinema screen: a theater atmosphere composed of historical rooms, muted acoustics, and a dramaturgy that makes social violence in private life visible.
Conclusion: A compelling cinema moment about freedom and responsibility
The Education of Jane Cumming combines historical research, queer cinema, and precise acting into a moving film about truth, prejudice, and the longing for belonging. Those who appreciate ambitious cinematic art, historical dramas, and strong female characters will experience an evening at the Kinemathek Karlsruhe with lasting audience reactions and great emotional impact.
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