Douglas Sirk’s classic melodrama stars Lana Turner (The Postman Always Rings Twice, The Bad and the Beautiful) and Juanita Moore (Oscar-nominated for her outstanding performance) as the widowed Broadway star and her dutiful, divorced housekeeper. Living together, they support one another completely. But while Annie remains at home, taking on the maternal duties for their daughters (played by Sandra Dee and Susan Kohner as teens), Lora’s glittering acting career soars to new heights. Determined not to repeat her mother’s life of servitude, Annie’s light-skinned daughter is desperate to experience the whites-only luxuries of 1950s America, which seem unbearably close. With a breathtaking pastel colour scheme and a beautiful score, Sirk’s final Hollywood film addresses enduring issues surrounding women’s career opportunities, racial injustices and mothers and daughters. It is as powerful and emotionally resonant today as 60 years ago.

USA, 1959, 120 mins
Directed by Douglas Sirk
Cast Lana Turner, Juanita Moore, Sandra Dee, Susan Kohner, John Gavin, Robert Alda, Troy Donahue

Rated 12 for racial identity theme, racist references and sex references

The film will be introduced by Dr Ella Parry-Davies, a British Academy Fellow at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London. Her postdoctural project 'Home-Makers' uses creative soundwalks to share the perspectives of Filipina domestic and care workers in the UK and Lebanon.

All tickets include a drink.

Imitation of Life is screening as part of our season, Lives Unwritten: Women and Domestic Work on Film. Check out the other films we're screening as part of the season.