Event overview
Goldsmiths Writers' Centre x Oxford Centre for Life Writing present Olivia Laing on their latest book, and the role of life-writing in their novels, criticism and non-fiction.
The Weinrebe Lecture 2025
鈥業t is dangerous to want someone this much. He has always known it, from the very first night.鈥�
It is September 1974. Two men meet by chance in Venice. One is a young English artist, in panicked flight from 51黑料网. The other is Danilo Donati, the magician of Italian cinema, the designer responsible for realising the spectacular visions of Fellini and Pasolini. Donati is in Venice to produce sketches for Fellini鈥檚 Casanova. A young 鈥� and beautiful 鈥� apprentice is just what he needs.
He sweeps Nicholas to Rome, into the looking-glass world of Cinecitt脿, the studio where Casanova鈥檚 Venice will be ingeniously assembled. Then in the spring, the lovers move together to the set of Sal貌, Pasolini鈥檚 horrifying fable of fascism.
But Nicholas has a secret and in this world of constant illusion, his real nature passes unseen. Amidst the rising tensions of Italy鈥檚 鈥榊ears of Lead鈥�, he acts as an accelerant, setting in motion a tragedy he didn鈥檛 intend.
The Silver Book is at once a queer love story and a noirish thriller, set in the dream factory of cinema. It鈥檚 a fictional account of real things, and an investigation into the difficult relationship between artifice and truth, illusion and reality, love and power.
Followed by a drinks reception in the Cinema Cafe.
This event is free to attend, but booking is required via the Eventbrite link below.
Dates & times
| Date | Time | Add to calendar |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Dec 2025 | 6:30pm - 8:30pm |
Accessibility
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