Feminist pathways film club: VARIETY

The Feminist Library’s film club returns with Bette Gordon’s New York set neo-noir VARIETY. Written in collaboration with experimental writer Kathy Acker, and featuring “no wave” legends like Nan Goldin and Cookie Mueller, Variety divided audiences upon release, refusing to offer easy – or truthfully any – answers. This is part of what makes this film so fascinating both for today, and to consider in conversation with Born In Flames. Gordon and Lizzie Borden were themselves friends, but their work takes incredibly different approaches to both feminism and the medium itself.

Christine, a bright and unassuming young woman, takes a job selling tickets at a porno theater near Times Square. Instead of distancing herself from the dark and erotic nature of this milieu, however, Christine soon develops an obsession that begins to consume her life.

The screening is on Tuesday 16th July, with doors opening at 6:45pm, for us to press play at 7pm sharp. The film will then be followed by a group discussion. No specialist knowledge is needed, everyone is welcome to chat and reflect on what the films make us think of, feel, and how it all connects to feminism today.

Come alone, bring a friend, bring snacks, however you fancy it! This is a free event, just make sure you sign up via the link in our bio, but please do let us know if you can’t attend, as tickets sell out fast and we’d love to be able to fill seats/ensure that everyone who wants to attend can.

Feminist Pathways is a film club intended to foster connections and conversations. With each film linking to the next, we will revisit specific eras of feminism & filmmaking, developing pathways of thought together.