We recently celebrated the 20th anniversary release of the classic lesbian film Desert Hearts on DVD with a "where are they now" piece on the actors who played Vivian (Helen Shaver) and Cay (Patricia Charbonneau), and an interview with director Donna Dietch.

The director, cast, and assorted friends got together for a party last night at the East West Lounge in L.A., and I snagged a couple photos for you:

Patricia Charbonneau, Donna Deitch and Helen Shaver

Erin Kelly (Loving Annabelle), event promoter Mariah Hanson, Patricia Charbonneau, Helen Shaver, comedian Suzanne Westenhoefer, Michelle Wolff (Dante's Cove)

I would like to this opportunity to reminisce about a few of Desert Heart's best lines — besides "she just reached in and put a string of lights around my heart," of course. Nothing can beat that one for its winning combination of corniness and vivid imagery, but here are a few really good lines from the film that were very memorable:

Vivian: [of her marriage] It drowned in still waters.

Cay: I don't act this way to change the world. I act this way so that the world won't goddamn change me!

Walter: [to Cay regarding her number of female visitors] How you get all that traffic with no equipment is beyond me!

and the game-changing exchange in the hotel room when Vivian finally stops fighting the love that dare not speak its name:

Vivian: I wouldn't know what to do.
Cay: You can start by putting the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door.

20 years later, that's still an excellent answer.

I don't know where I've been, but I just read that one of my favorite lesbian films, Desert Hearts, is coming out with a "Two-Disc Vintage Collection" on June 5, 2007.

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The new release will contain never-before-seen footage of one of the best love scenes ever captured on film, new commentary by lesbian director Donna Deitch, and new interviews with Deitch and stars Helen Shaver and Patricia Charbonneau.