Saved events

Variety (18) 2K Restoration

— ,Cinemas 2 & 3
A woman looks longingly out of a cinema booth at the neon lights of the surrounding street

Bette Gordon's 1983 alluring feminist drama about a young woman's sexual awakening in an underground New York pornographic cinema. 

Variety follows a young aspiring author, Christine, who is in much need of a job. When she starts working at a Times Square pornographic cinema, she becomes obsessed with an older patron, and experiences a sexual awakening of her own. 

Coming out three years before David Lynch's Blue Velvet, Variety plays into the American 1980s canon that was obsessed with sexuality (following the AIDS crisis) and observation (in light of the exponential development of technology, and rising crime and income inequality in the States.

Written by novelist and former sex worker Kathy Acker, and featuring a performance by Nan Goldin, Bette Gordon's female gaze has been called a 'feminist Vertigo'.

Shocking audiences at Cannes and Toronto in 1983, Bette Gordon's Variety has been newly restored for contemporary audiences.

Tagged with: Cinema upcoming events New releases

USA 1983 dir Bette Gordon 101 min

Films can contain elements which some may find upsetting; from references to self-harm or suicide, to sexual violence or domestic abuse. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) provides guidance to audiences, to help them choose what’s right for them and avoid what’s not. For guidance, please click here and type the film title into the search bar.

Cinemas 2 & 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.