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Set in Nevada 1959, Helen Shaver is Vivian Bell, a repressed college professor from New York who arrives at a ranch in Reno for a temporary stay to obtain a divorce. Anticipating a quiet stay reading and preparing for the academic year she finds herself distracted and drawn to the ranch owner’s fiery step-daughter Cay Rivvers (Patricia Charbonneau). As their friendship develops and Vivian’s restrained and latent passion is unleashed, their lesbian relationship becomes an act of defiance against the accepted rules of society. The memorable soundtrack includes songs by Patsy Cline and other performers of the late 50’s. Based on the novel “Desert of the Heart” by Jane Rule.
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Collection
In ACMI's collection
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
305091
Language
English
Audience classification
MA
Subject categories
Family, Gender Identity, Relationships & Sexuality → Coming out (Sexual orientation)
Family, Gender Identity, Relationships & Sexuality → Gay and lesbian studies
Family, Gender Identity, Relationships & Sexuality → Homosexuality in motion pictures
Sound/audio
Sound
Colour
Colour
Holdings
VHS; Access Print (Section 1)