Screening times:
Thursday, July 25, 8:30 PM

Lynne Fernie, Aerlyn Weissman | Canada | 1992 | 85m

Preceded by local short "Anita Louise and the Wild Women" | Arena Alamino | Canada | 2025 | 12m introduced by Arena Alamino

Lynne Fernie and Aerlyn Weissman’s hybrid documentary/drama delves into the rich history of Canadian queer women’s experiences in the mid-20th century, when homosexuality was still criminalized.

Compelling, often hilarious and always rebellious, the women interviewed in this film recount stories about their search for the places where openly gay women gathered in urban centres. Contemporary interviews, archival footage, and a stylized fictional narrative based on the pulp novels of the 1950s are woven throughout this simultaneously funny, heartbreaking, and empowering history of lesbian sexuality.

“All the women interviewed in "Forbidden Love" have fond memories of the sly, flirty and bohemian aspects of their earlier days. Some also speak affectingly about their experiences with prejudice and violence. Even in discussing the more turbulent aspects of their history, though, most of these women retain their wry outlook.” - Janet Maslin, The New York Times

"The women in the film are all smart, intriguing, brave, and above all funny, and their stories are full of revelations large and small... filmmakers Lynne Fernie and Aerlyn Weissman managed to make a movie that was beautifully uplifting." - Matthew Hays, The Gay & Lesbian Review

Winner: Best Feature Length Documentary, Genie Awards, 1993
Winner: Outstanding Documentary Film, GLAAD Media Awards, 1994

Tickets $12 ($11.40 at the door if available)