Our name is Queer Cinema Club and we’re here to recruit you… for a double dose of cinematic hope to kick off 2024! That’s right, we’re making January a month of Harvey Milk.

On January 10th, we’re showing one of the greatest documentaries ever made in honour of its 40th anniversary: Rob Epstein’s The Times of Harvey Milk. Narrated by the legendary voice of Harvey Fierstein, the 1984 documentary is a flawless, wildly moving tribute to Milk, the first openly gay person to be elected to public office in California. It won the Academy Award for best documentary feature, making it the first gay-themed film by openly gay filmmakers to win an Oscar… ever. Get your tickets here.

Then on January 17th, we will be showing the equally powerful narrative biopic that took decades to finally get made, Gus Van Sant’s 2008 Milk, the rightful winner of that year’s best picture Oscar (though it did win best actor and best original screenplay, which is a notable consolation). Starring Sean Penn as Milk alongside an ensemble cast that includes James Franco, Josh Brolin, Emile Hirch and Toronto’s own Alison Pill, Milk far exceeds the expectations of standard biopic fare. Guided by queer cinema icon Van Sant, it is something truly special. Get your tickets here.

So let us come in from the cold and cry queer tears together this January. And also pick up these wonderful posters by our incredibly talented friend Paul Dotey.