Proudly screening as part of our season celebrating the work of women filmmakers in the US in the 1970s and 80s, Desert Hearts, a landmark of queer and independent filmmaking, blazed a trail for lesbian representation on screen. In celebration of this pioneering film, we're thrilled to organise another queer members' mixer on Saturday 23 November.

Join us in the Garden Bar from 19:00, to meet fellow members - all are welcome, whether you're queer, questioning, or a raging ally. There will be the opportunity to craft your own badge featuring a queer cinematic icons, whilst enjoying a complimentary 'Flaming Hearts' cocktail. Meanwhile, we'll be blasting our favourite queer dancefloor anthems, and your musical suggestions will be welcomed with open arms!

At 20:30 we'll make our way into the screen, where Lillian Crawford will introduce the film, offering insight into the film's special place in the history of lesbian filmmaking.

Tickets are £16.50 each, and restricted to 2 per member, meaning you can bring a date or a mate. The ticket includes access to the pre-screening disco and badgemaking, a complimentary (non-)alcoholic cocktail, and an unallocated seat for the screening.

Timings:

19:00        ‘Flaming Hearts’ cocktail hour, Desert Hearts disco and queer ‘pin up’ badgemaking with artist Alex Michon

20:30        Film introduction by Lillian Crawford

20:45        Screening of Desert Hearts

22:20        Expected finish

About the film:

Arriving in the Reno desert to finalise her divorce, uptight New York academic Vivian’s heart is hijacked by unruly tomboy Cay, who she is introduced to in one of cinema’s most rip-roaring ‘meet cute’ sequences. Shot with a languorous, sensual cinematography that Deitch achieved on a small budget, the film is ahead of its time in its unapologetic celebration of lesbian sexuality.

About Lillian Crawford:

Lillian Crawford is a writer for publications including Sight & Sound, The Guardian, Times Literary Supplement, and BBC Culture. Lillian is also a curator and programmer, including of relaxed screenings for neurodiverse audiences with Stims Collective. She is currently completing a PhD on the BBC’s Screen Two films at Royal Holloway.

https://lillcrawf.co.uk/ / https://www.stims.uk/