Cinema Salon: A Taste of Honey

A key work from the British realist “kitchen sink” movement of the late 1950s and early 60s, Shelagh Delaney’s groundbreakng play explores themes of sexuality, sexism, race, class, and the multiple layers of social oppression. A selfish, hard-drinking mother (Dora Bryan) and her pregnant daughter (Rita Tushingham) represent examples of how women of no means often must choose between independence and security.

Director Tony Richardson was on an astonishing creative roll at the time: he also directed Look Back in Anger, The Entertainer, Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner and Tom Jones, all between 1959-1964.

Guest Presenter: Jan Wade

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The most deeply felt part of A Taste of Honey is its love story between soul mates – white, black, female, male, straight, and gay…Melvin’s Geoff is an achingly believable character, heroic for his time – and ours, too. We owe a debt of gratitude.

Armond White, Out magazine

Cinema Salon is VIFF Centre’s longest running series, almost as old as our cinema itself! Host Melanie Friesen invites a distinguished guest to present a favourite film of their choosing. The evening begins with an introduction to the movie, and our guest will stay to lead a discussion with the audience after the show.