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Mythology, theology and a racy lesbian cir­cus performer, director Patricia Rozema (known for her charmingly funny I Heard the Mer­maids Singing) explores in high flying style this heady terrain of obsession, lust and the resurrective powers of love.

Camille and Petra couldn't be more different. One is an academic at a stern Protestant college on the verge of marriage to a 'career Christian', the other a member of a travelling avante-garde performance troupe. However Camiile's nuptual negotiations take a tumble after a chance encounter with Petra at the local laundrette, and the scence is set for seduction.

After much pussy-footing around, Camille trades her hang ups for hang gliding, forgoes her many safety nets and succumbs to freefalling passion; then the circus really comes to town as she must juggle her own desires with the demands of her miffed man and the reac­tions of Rev. DeBoer, her college dean-choices must be made.

Lush, romantic and ravishingly shot, the film is a radical departure from Rozema's earlier work yet retains the same quirky, off-beat humour and liberating spirit. A fanciful foray into lipstick lesbian lore, When Night is Falling is savvy and sexy as all hell.