Aero Theatre Presents: Desert Hearts

Presented by the American Cinematheque and RACK FOCUS, an ongoing, progressive slate of female-oriented programming and events. DESERT HEARTS, 1985, Janus Films, 96 min. Director Donna Deitch’s feature debut was this pioneering, 1950s-set lesbian romance adapted from Jane Rule’s novel Desert of the Heart. New York English professor Helen Shaver meets Reno casino worker Patricia Charbonneau at a Nevada ranch that caters to women finalizing their divorces; the two are soon attracted to each other despite their different backgrounds. “An astonishingly polished and nuanced first film.” – Paul Attanasio, The Washington Post. Discussion following with director Donna Deitch, moderated by Rack Focus programmer Heidi Honeycutt.