Saturday, February 17, 8:45 p.m. | The taboo-shattering films of legendary director Fred Halsted broke new ground in gay erotic cinema for their portrayal of polymorphous perversity and for their avant-garde sensibility. His work sent shockwaves throughout the gay liberation movement and the art house alike, leading to their eventual acquisition by the Museum of Modern Art. L.A. PLAYS ITSELF, Halsted’s elliptical, experimental, and explicit patchwork of grimy streets, urban overdevelopment, and dangerous sexual encounters, is a revolutionary masterwork (upon seeing the film, Salvador Dalí was reportedly quoted as saying, "new information for me") that is as arousing as it is distressing. Content consideration: contains scenes of violence. No one under 18 admitted.

Hot & Heavy: Leave your inhibitions at the door and unclutch your pearls: the Film Center’s screens are sizzling with the 10 sexually liberated films of Hot & Heavy. A carnal exploration of desire, passion, and physical dexterity, Hot & Heavy encourages audiences to indulge in the erotic—not as forbidden fruit, but in a celebratory embrace of what turns us on in a safe space that respectfully recognizes the cinematic power of all things bodily bawdy. Content consideration: these films contain explicit sexual content (obviously). View full series.

The Film Center is ADA accessible. This presentation will be projected without open captions. The theater is hearing-loop equipped. For accessibility requests, please email filmcenter@saic.edu