Imitation of Life

Directed by Douglas Sirk and produced by Ross Hunter – a sweeping Hollywood melodrama starring Lana Turner and John Gavin, with standout performances from Juanita Moore, Susan Kohner, and gospel legend Mahalia Jackson.

Adapted from Fannie Hurst’s 1933 novel, this deeply moving story follows two single mothers whose lives become intertwined after a chance encounter. Aspiring actress Lora Meredith hires Annie Johnson, an African-American woman, as a live-in maid to care for her daughter while she pursues fame on Broadway. Meanwhile, Annie’s daughter Sarah Jane struggles with her racial identity and chooses to pass as white, creating emotional turmoil and tragedy.

Sirk’s final Hollywood film—and often regarded as his masterpiece—Imitation of Life is a powerful critique of race, class, and the pursuit of the American Dream, wrapped in the lush style and emotion that defined 1950s cinema.

This screening is supported by Film Hub Wales as part of the BFI Film Audience Network (FAN), made possible by the National Lottery.