Pioneers of Queer Cinema Series: In partnership with the UCLA Film & Television Archive, the Gene Siskel Film Center presents differing, often radical explorations of sexual orientation and gender identity. Pioneers of Queer Cinema introduces and reacquaints audiences with landmark queer works and their makers, while inspiring new conversations and renewed action surrounding the complex obstacles LGBTQ+ communities continue to face.

Nitrate Kisses will show as part of this series on August 23 & 27.

This debut feature from lesbian feminist filmmaker and artist Barbara Hammer (1939-2019) is an archeological dig of unexplored queer histories, and a commemoration of shared experience across various LGBTQ+ communities.

Preceded by FIREWORKS (1947, dir. Kenneth Anger / USA, 13 min. In English / Format: 35MM, preserved by UCLA Film & Television Archive with funding provided by the Sundance Institute), an exploration of the isolation of gay cruising, which got Anger arrested for obsenity charges when it premiered 75 years ago; SEASCAPE (1984, dir. Mike Kuchar / USA, 10 min. In English / Format: Digital), a visual exploration of the body of a young man alone at some unnamed  juncture of sand, sky and surf; and AT LEAST YOU KNOW YOU EXIST (2011, dir. Zackary Drucker / USA, 16 min. In English / Format: Digital, preserved by UCLA Film & Television Archive), Drucker’s collaboration with LGBTQ elder and activist Flawless Sabrina is an exploration of the trans experience, past and present.