Desert Hearts

Event Information

Donna Deitch’s luscious romantic drama follows the uptight professor Vivian (Helen Shaver) who arrives in Reno, Nevada in 1959 to legalise her divorce. There she meets the free- spirited Cay (Patricia Charbonneau) who works in the casinos where she fends off the advances of men and seduces women.

Based on the Jane Rule novel Desert of the Heart and drawing on campy tropes from mid-century lesbian pulp novels, Donna Deitch’s pioneering film was the first to grant its lesbians a happy ending. Nearly forty years later, Desert Hearts remains a beloved gem of queer filmmaking.

Shot beautifully by cinematographer Robert Elswit (There Will Be Blood) and accompanied by a nostalgic jukebox soundtrack, Desert Hearts is a must-see landmark in lesbian cinema.

Emma Smart, Director of Collections, Learning & Engagement at the BFI, will introduce the film and take part in a Q&A afterwards with Happy Valley Pride's Chair Jenn Wilson.

Access information

Seating: booked seating

Vibe: this is likely to be a quiet and respectful audience of people who want to enjoy the film

Wheelchair access: Fully accessible - see link below

Induction Loop: Available - see link below

Toilets: Accessible

Food and Drink: Popcorn, sweets and cakes available plus tea, coffee, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

For full access information, please visit: https://hebdenbridgepicturehouse.co.uk/access

Walk-round video to follow. Please check back closer to the event.