In near-future New York, ten years after the “social-democratic war of liberation,” diverse groups of women organize a feminist uprising as equality remains unfulfilled.

Next month, we are not only turning 3 years old but also celebrating our 50th edition. Which obviously is cause for celebration, though how exactly does one celebrate a continued existence in this hellscape of a world? Easy: by coming together to watch Lizzie Borden’s radical and revolutionary ode to liberation and love: Born in Flames.

Released in 1983, Born in Flames imagines a dystopian future of America where an underground women’s army rises up against government oppression and violence. It’s a wild and imaginative mix of punk and sci-fi, and a film that Borden has said she never expected to be relevant 40 years later. Like all of us, she’s horrified that it basically couldn’t be more relevant.

So 3 years and 50 screenings after Queer Cinema Club was indeed born flaming (in the good way!), let’s gather at the Paradise to raise a glass to many more years of us watching queer movies together as the world continues to burn (in the very bad way) around us. Maybe we’ll get a little inspired to build our own underground movement in the process. 

And since it’s such an occasion, we thought we’d add a few other elements to the night’s festivities: Born in Flames will be preceded by both a performance by the flaming legend that is Seyonce Knows *and* a short film from a flaming legend in his own right, Keith Cole. We’ll be showing Cole’s 2005 short Une Petite Mort, since we may have been born 3 years ago but we’ve been dying little deaths every day since! 

See you all April 23rd, where you can also pick up a print of this gorgeous poster by the mightily talented H.E.E.S.H. -PETER KNEGT

Presented in partnership with the York University Sexuality and Gender Advocacy (SAGA) Alumni Network

Doors Open 30 Minutes Before Showtime.