Filmed during the closing days of the club, The Backstreet is an intimate exploration of four decades of desire, community, love and loss through the eyes of regulars at this iconic London gay leather club.
‘Sweat, moans, the haze of smoke and the rugged smell of leather. This is The Backstreet – London's secret haven for leathermen. After 37 years in existence, the club stands on the brink of permanent closure. Facing the demolition of their erotic haven, regulars and staff recount their memories – the sweaty darkroom encounters, a master-slave couple’s first kiss, a spiritual encounter during a BDSM session, and the terror and loss of the HIV pandemic. Meanwhile, the owner, the manager and a curator from the Museum of London go through boxes, finding erotic birthday cake designs, leather jockstraps and homophobic tabloid cuttings. As the space awaits demolition, what will The Backstreet’s legacy be?’
For 37 years, The Backstreet was a legendary part of the gay bar and leather scene, becoming the longest-running and strictest men-only leather bar in London.
Romain Beck, The Backstreet, 2024, 29 mins
Certification: Unclassified 18+
The Backstreet will be screened in the Events Studio on a continuous loop. Admission is free with exhibition entry.
This film is screened as part of the public programme for Prem Sahib, Documents of a recent past.
