This is a unique chance to see The Backstreet, an intimate film exploration of four decades of desire, community, love and loss at the 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?’
Following the screening, Romain Beck, the film’s director, and John Edwards, the founder of The Backstreet, will hold a Q&A.
Romain Beck, The Backstreet, 2024, 29 mins
Certification: Unclassified 18+
This film is screened as part of the public programme for Prem Sahib, Documents of a recent past.
Standard tickets £5, concessions available
