Desperately Seeking Susan (40th Anniversary Restoration)

Every man is desperate to have her. One woman is desperate to be her. But someone is desperate to kill her. If they can figure out who she is.

It’s the 4K restoration of a film we’ve been desperately waiting 40 years for, Susan Seidelman’s DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN. Starring Rosanna Arquette and the original material girl in her first ever on-screen role, Madonna.

A bored New Jersey suburban housewife’s fascination with a free-spirited woman she has read about in the personal columns leads to her being mistaken for the woman herself and into a chaotic adventure of amnesia and self-discovery.

“[Susan] Seidelman directed ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’ three years after her 1982 low-budget punk debut ‘Smithereens’, a document of a grislier, long-gone New York, shot guerilla-style around the city, and the first US film to be selected to screen at Cannes. ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’ came to Seidelman after it had languished for a long time in development, with studios passing on the project because, as the producer Sarah Pillsbury said, “Only women and gay men liked it.” As if that wasn’t all the endorsement you need.” (The Guardian)

“‘Desperately Seeking Susan’ works with its fairy tale depiction of New York and the fun, frothy chemistry generated by its two leads.” (Rotten Tomatoes)

Monday, September 15
Doors 5:30 pm | Movie 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Tickets HERE

Tribute looks and costumes strongly encouraged!

DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN (Susan Seidelman, 1985 / 104 min / PG) A bored New Jersey suburban housewife’s fascination with a free-spirited woman she has read about in the personal columns leads to her being mistaken for the woman herself and into a chaotic adventure of amnesia and self-discovery.


*Minors OK. Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service.
*Rio Theatre Groupons and passes OK for any single film only. Please redeem at the door.
*We recommend purchasing your tickets in advance at www.riotheatretickets.ca. If a screening or live event is not sold out, the remaining tickets will be available for purchase at the Rio Theatre’s Box Office prior to showtime (subject to availability).
*Our box office is typically open 30 minutes before showtime. All seating is General Admission; please arrive 20-30 minutes prior to showtime to ensure great seats, and time for treats at concession.

*All Rio Theatre tickets are final sale. No refunds or exchanges.

A bored New Jersey suburban housewife's fascination with a free-spirited woman she has read about in the personal columns leads to her being mistaken for the woman herself and into a chaotic adventure of amnesia and self-discovery.
  • Budget
    $4,500,000.00
  • Revenue
    $27,399,597.00
  • IMDB

About The Rio

Voted the #1 Independent Theatre in Vancouver, the Rio Theatre is a multimedia venue featuring arthouse, mainstream and cult-classic cinemas as well as live entertainment. Built in 1938, the Rio has been fully restored with a state of the art digital projector, surround sound, a huge stage and 420 luxurious seats.

1660 East Broadway, Vancouver, BC

Phone: 604.879.3456

Info Line: 604.878.3456

Email: [email protected]

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