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Variety (18*)

Part of: The Grime and the Glamour season

,Barbican Cinema 3
Variety theater in Bette Gordon's Variety

Explore the seedy side of Manhattan through a very female perspective, with Bette Gordon's take on the adult cinemas of 1970s NYC. 

Emerging from the creative community on New York's Lower East Side at the beginning of the 1980s, this fearless exploration of female erotic fantasy tells the story of a Midwest girl who takes a job at the ticket booth of the Variety porn cinema off Times Square

Working at the cinema, Christine (Sandy McLeod) becomes caught up in a subculture of desire – increasingly obsessed by pornography, and drawn into the life of a shady male patron of the cinema. 

Directed by Bette Gordon, with contributions from other downtown scenesters such as John Lurie, Tom di Cillo, Nan Goldin, Spalding Gray, Luis Guzman and Cookie Mueller, Variety also functions as remarkable time capsule of New York City, showing such bygone landmarks as the Variety Theatre, Fulton Fish Market and Yankee Stadium, as well as a pre-cleaned-up Times Square. 

Tagged with: Cinema 35mm The Grime and the Glamour

US 1984 Dir Bette Gordon 97 min, 35mm presentation

Please arrive promptly at the advertised start time

Proof of ID may be requested on entry to films, in compliance with BBFC rating

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Barbican Cinema 3

Location
Barbican Cinema 2 & 3 are located on Beech Street, a short walk from the Barbican’s Silk Street entrance. From Silk Street, you’ll see a zebra crossing that will take you across the road to the venue. 

Address
Beech Street
London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.