Donna Deitch’s classic of lesbian cinema is one of the greatest love stories of all time. The year is 1959, and Professor Vivian Bell (Helen Shaver) has arrived in Reno, NV, for a divorce. There she meets Cay Rivvers (Patricia Charbonneau), a backwards-driving, jean short-wearing sculptor/casino employee who is brazenly herself. These two opposing forces circle around each other, falling in lust and love, as Cay dares Vivian to take a risk for something more.
Now, four decades since its theatrical release in 1986, join us in celebrating a film that was ahead of its time and beyond time. From an overwhelming kiss in the rain to one of the best sex scenes ever put on film, Desert Hearts redefined what queer women could expect from our movies. The romance crackles with possibility, but its love story goes beyond this central pair—it’s also about the bonds of friendship, the challenge of family, and the importance of embracing the entirety of oneself.
Now, four decades since its theatrical release in 1986, join us in celebrating a film that was ahead of its time and beyond time. From an overwhelming kiss in the rain to one of the best sex scenes ever put on film, Desert Hearts redefined what queer women could expect from our movies. The romance crackles with possibility, but its love story goes beyond this central pair—it’s also about the bonds of friendship, the challenge of family, and the importance of embracing the entirety of oneself.
UPCOMING Screenings
RUNNING TIME
91min
VENUE
FORMAT
DCP
TICKET INFORMATION
Individual Film Ticket — $19.50
In-person access to a single film
In-Person 6-Ticket Package — $95
Includes 6 tickets to use across any of the in-person films
Virtual All Access Pass — $25
Virtual access to all five streaming films (excludes DESERT HEARTS and WAITING FOR GUFFMAN);
Does not include in-person Q&A’s
In-person access to a single film
In-Person 6-Ticket Package — $95
Includes 6 tickets to use across any of the in-person films
Virtual All Access Pass — $25
Virtual access to all five streaming films (excludes DESERT HEARTS and WAITING FOR GUFFMAN);
Does not include in-person Q&A’s
BAM Members and Patrons receive a discount on tickets to this series, please email membership@BAM.org for more information.
Buy Tickets
Leadership support for
BAM’s strategic initiatives provided by:
Leadership support for
BAM Access Programs provided by
the Jerome L. Greene Foundation
Leadership support for
BAM programming provided by:
Leadership support for
BAM Film provided by
The Thompson Family Foundation
Major support for programs in
the Lepercq Cinema is provided by
The Lepercq Charitable Foundation
