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She’s Beautiful, Sexy, Angry and Liberated! Barbara Hammer's Lesbian Films of the 1970s + live readings (18*)

Queer 70s

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A still from Superdyke, showing the front of a bus with a group of women inside. On the front of the bus is a large banner saying Lesbian Express.

We celebrate the legacy of Barbara Hammer, a true pioneer of LGBTQ+ cinema, with a special event featuring her groundbreaking shorts Dyketactics, Superdyke, Women I Love and Double Strength. 

With a career spanning 50 years, Barbara Hammer (1939-2019) is recognised as a pioneer of feminist and queer cinema. A visual artist working primarily in film and video, the 1970s saw Hammer create a groundbreaking body of experimental work that illuminated lesbian histories, lives and representations.  

The films Hammer made during the 1970s reflect Hammer’s newfound lesbian identity, sexuality and community. These frank, lustful shorts came out of the women’s movement – an incredible era of personal and political liberation. Her filmmaking changed the landscape not only of cinema, but of queer lives and histories. This event celebrates her legacy with four key shorts from the 1970s and a newer tribute to Hammer by filmmaker Deborah Stratman.

Tagged with: Cinema Queer 70s

Curated by Selina Robertson. In association with Club des Femmes. 

Please note this screening includes depictions of nudity and real sex. 

Film information

Release year: 1974-2019

Country: USA

Director: Barbara Hammer

Runtime: 2hr (approx)

Ticket prices

£10.40

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Over 60s £11

Under 18s £6

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*Excludes £1.50 booking fee
‘My work makes these invisible bodies and histories visible. As a lesbian artist, I found little existing representation, so I put lesbian life on this blank screen‘
Barbara Hammer

Biographies

Selina Robertson is a film programmer, researcher and founder member of queer feminist curating collective Club des Femmes. She is an associate lecturer at Birkbeck.  

Club des Femmes is a queer feminist collective who curate film screenings and events. Their mission is to offer a freed-up space for the re-examination of ideas through art.  

Programme

Dyketactics 

US 1974 dir Barbara Hammer 4 min

A celebration of lesbian sensuality and sexuality in nature. 'The first lesbian-lovemaking film made by a lesbian' - Barbara Hammer  

 

Superdyke 

US 1975 dir Barbara Hammer 18 min 

Women take to the streets! Barbara leads a platoon of vagina warriors with Amazon shields in an action to overthrow San Francisco. 

 

Women I Love 

US 1976 dir Barbara Hammer 23 min 

A gorgeous playful series of cameo portraits of Barbara’s friends and lovers interwoven with erotic fruit and vegetables.  

 

Double Strength 

US 1978 dir Barbara Hammer 15 mins

The cycle of a relationship – from its erotic formations to feelings of serenity, play and power; a breakup and lasting friendship. Starring Terry Sendgraff on trapeze.  

 

Vever (for Barbara)  

Guatemala, US 2019 dir Deborah Stratman 12 mins 

Fragments of a film shot in Guatemala. A reflection on the problems involved in ‘diary films’. A loving work of feminist historiography. A dedication to Barbara.  

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