QUEER CINEMA CLUB presents BPM (BEATS PER MINUTE)

Every month at the Paradise Theatre, curator and host Peter Knegt is offering queers (and anyone who loves them) a classic queer film, special guests and performers, and some good old fashioned drinks and conversation in the Paradise’s stunning lobby bar. Each film is paired with a different local queer artist, who will design an original poster for the screening.

A December double feature! Next month we are honouring the AIDS activists who fought against those who couldn’t care less if we lived or died with not one but TWO stunning films.

On December 6, we will screen David France’s deeply powerful, Oscar-nominated documentary How To Survive a Plague, which focuses on the vastly influential New York City AIDS activist group ACT UP. And we are very excited that one of the central activists featured in the movie, the great Peter Staley will be joining us for a virtual Q&A afterwards! (Also: go buy his book Never Silent: ACT UP and my Life in Activism )

A week later on December 13th, we will head to Paris for Robin Campillo’s cinematic banger BPM Beats Per Minute. Winner of the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival and best picture at the Césars (the French Oscars), BPM is a fictionalized account of the activists at ACT UP’s Paris chapter… and it’s gonna leave you pretty wrecked, we must warn.

Both of these glorious posters were created by the wonder that is Eric Kostiuk Williams, who recently released a book 2AM Eternal that sure would make a great gift for anyone interested in local queer history (we’re just saying). Both posters will be for sale at the screening, and would make great little gifts themselves!

Robin Campillo delved into his own memories to portray ACT UP Paris in the 1990s in this life-affirming, exhilarating and deeply moving film, imbued with a pumping house music score. Winning 3 awards in Cannes and 6 Césars, BPM portrays AIDS activism with both erotic energy and historical insight.

(Courtesy of Sphere Media)

Wednesday December 13th, 8 PM/7 PM Doors

Door tickets are available for purchase on the day of screening. Refunds can be requested up to 12 hours before the screening. All refunds must be requested and processed through eventbrite.

Looking for pre or post show snack or sip? Check out our amazing options right next door!

Osteria Rialto- Tuesdays to Saturdays

Bar Biltmore- Wednesdays to Saturdays

Blue Door Wine Shop- Open Daily

Café Paradise- Open Daily