“AN LGBTQ CULT CLASSIC! Satirical and sweet…[a] campy take on gender constructs and a (then) rare, joyful romance between two teenage girls.” – CNN Style

A candy-coated comedy with a razor-sharp satirical edge, Jamie Babbit’s BUT I’M A CHEERLEADER has had a long trajectory from MPAA whipping girl—the film was originally given an NC-17 rating for its lesbian content—to critical flop to beloved cult classic. Natasha Lyonne stars as Megan Bloomfield, a high school cheerleader sent to gay conversion therapy camp when her parents suspect her to be a…dun dun DUN… lesbian. Filled to the brim with clever innuendos, colorful imagery, and witty characters (including RuPaul and John Waters standby Mink Stole in bit parts), BUT I’M A CHEERLEADER uses comedy to attack heteronormativity with gleeful savagery. The film remains a vivid exploration of gender, sexuality, and identity — and it’s the perfect lead-in to the Bevo Pride Celebration down the street at Sebilj Park, running 6-8 pm!

Come out before the movie for a Sapphic Pop pre-show full of lesbian bops like MUNA’s “Silk Chiffon,” whose video pays loving tribute to But I’m a Cheerleader.

This film is screening as part of Arkadin’s Pride Month-long spotlight on queer cinema.

Arkadin does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. However, we encourage researching titles to determine if a screening may contain content that could be upsetting to you. Please feel free to contact us for guidance on specific films. Information about content can also be found on Common Sense Media, IMDB and DoesTheDogDie.com, as well as through general internet searches.