PUMPING IRON II: THE WOMEN (1984) x FIST CLUB for International Women’s Day

• Director: George Butler
• Featuring: Bev Francis, Rachel McLish, Lori Bowen, Carla Dunlap 
• Film: 107mins | USA | No Subtitles + Intermission
• Event: 20:45 – 23:10 [18+]

“A STORY OF STRENGTH, DESIRE, COURAGE… AND A NEW DEFINITION OF WOMAN.”

Four women get ready to compete in the 1983 Caesars World Cup body building championship, but what impact will the judges’ conservative views on ‘femininity’ have on the result?

Queer wrestling collective FIST CLUB takes over over BAR TRASH as part of our International Women’s Day Weekender (08 & 09 March 2025), raising money for menstrual equity charity, Bloody Good Period.

Continuing their cinematic celebrations of non-conforming women, FIST CLUB presents George Butler’s “one-of-a-kind” (New York Post) semi-scripted documentary about what was then a new and developing sport — women’s body building. “Trashy, colourful and wildly entertaining” (Vanity Fair), PUMPING IRON II: THE WOMEN (1984) challenges concepts of ‘femininity’, hilariously exposes the ‘debate’ about what constitutes a woman’s body, and asks who, ultimately, should have control? A documentary for all you “strong powder-puffs”out there 😉

FIST CLUB — aka “drag’s violent sibling” (Loose Willis) — is a queer cabaret and pro-wrestling night which has been combining comedy, cabaret, drag, burlesque and wrestling for passionate audiences across the nation since 2022! Created to centre and celebrate queer identities within wrestling, FIST CLUB shows combine smack-talking kings, sexy ring babes of all genders, flying bodies, Cher, backflips, rippling muscles, drama, and danger in the silliest ways possible. Follow on Instagram @fist__club and visit at fistclub.co.uk.

Regular FIST CLUB M.C. — and long-time friend of BAR TRASH — Loose Willis will host our International Women’s Day takeover, introducing PUMPING IRON II and interviewing wrestlers Beau Belles and Rita Slayworth about their careers and responses to the film. An interval raffle will raise money for Bloody Good Period: buy tickets on the night with cash or contactless for a chance to win bloody good prizes! You can also donate directly at bloodygoodperiod.com and follow their campaigning work on Instagram @bloodygoodperiod.

Thanks to White Mountain Films + Club des Femmes.

Polite notice: We are showing PUMPING IRON II: THE WOMEN from Token Homo’s vintage VHS tape. Our Bar Trash VHS presentations do not have subtitles or captions and may encounter technical problems during playback (we have a digital backup if needed!).

// Part of BAR TRASH Season 9 — CELLULOID JAM, an unofficial celebration of 50 years of THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (1975). Hosted by queer film fanatic Token Homo (creator of BAR TRASH and QUEER HORROR NIGHTS) and friends, all films screen with an introduction, intermission, and subtitles/captions (where possible!). Tickets from £3.50. Adults 18+ only. Follow @tokenhomo on Instagram for news and updates. //