Southernmost Celluloid Series at Tropic Cinema Key West

Southernmost Celluloid Series: Tropic of Desire at Tropic Cinema Key West

The Southernmost Celluloid Series continues at Tropic Cinema with a compelling Keys-set film experience featuring Tropic of Desire (Butterflies in Heat), a romantic drama filmed on location throughout Key West and the Florida Keys. Screening on Thursday, January 29 at 4:00 PM, this special presentation blends regional cinema, island history, and thoughtful discussion into a single afternoon event.

Running 80 minutes and Not Rated, Tropic of Desire explores the volatile intersection of passion and isolation in a tropical environment where emotions intensify under the weight of heat and seclusion. The story follows two strangers whose unexpected connection spirals into obsession and instability, revealing how paradise can magnify desire while quietly eroding emotional control. The Florida Keys backdrop is integral to the film’s mood, functioning as a psychological force rather than simple scenery.

Adding depth to the screening, Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian of the Florida Keys History Center and City Historian, delivers a brief introduction before the film, providing cultural and historical context tied to both the setting and the story’s themes. After the screening, Dr. Malcom remains available in the lobby for informal conversation, offering audiences a chance to reflect on the film through a distinctly local lens.

Presented as part of the Southernmost Celluloid Series, this event highlights films with authentic connections to the Keys while encouraging community engagement and conversation. The series is proudly underwritten by the Monroe County Public Library, making this a free screening, with tickets available at the Tropic Cinema box office the day of the show.

This screening offers a rare opportunity to experience Key West through film, history, and dialogue—all in one thoughtfully curated event.

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