Join us on June 22nd at 7:30pm EDT for a Live ZOOM Q&A of DESERT HEARTS with director Donna Deitch.
Join us on June 22nd at 7:30pm EDT for a Live ZOOM Q&A of DESERT HEARTS with director Donna Deitch.
Based on Jane Rule’s novel Desert of the Heart (1964) and screenwritten by Natalie Cooper, Donna Deitch’s luminous narrative feature debut centers on a burgeoning lesbian romance between maverick casino worker/artist Cay Rivvers (Patricia Charbonneau) and repressed NYC university professor Vivian Bell (Helen Shaver) who arrives in 1957 Reno, Nevada to get a divorce. The open western desert and bustling casinos are coupled with the memorable music of Patsy Cline, Buddy Holly, Kitty Wells, Elvis Presley and more, contrasting the setting and mood to the climate wherein being queer was...complicated. Landmark in its positive portrayal of sapphic romance and celebrated for its passionate, sensual love scenes that nearly fog the camera’s lens, Deitch’s vision for Cay and Vivian’s nuanced onscreen relationship explores the tension and wonder when each discovers a side of themselves they never knew existed.
Desert Hearts won the Special Jury Prize at the 1986 Sundance Film Festival.
Desert Hearts has been digitally restored by The Criterion Collection/Janus Films and UCLA Film & Television Archive in conjunction with Outfest UCLA Legacy Project and Sundance Institute.
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
7:30 PM - 8:15 PM EDT
Virtual Online
Stream DESERT HEARTS before the Q&A on Criterion Channel or HBO Max.
Please join this Q&A via the ZOOM link in your confirmation email.
For questions, please contact Nevin at [email protected]