Back Lane Studios presents another in its Extraordinary Women series, with a documentary and discussion about the life and passions of Ruth Berlau (1906-74), a beautiful, strong-minded Danish novelist, actor, photographer and director, who fell passionately in love with German poet and playwright Bertolt Brecht. She collaborated with him for many years, providing ideas, working on scripts and helping to propel him to international fame and fortune. She and a series of other women who became Brecht's paramours and assistants were essential to his success, but were never credited for their work. As one scholar wryly commented, Brecht was the only man he knew who slept his way to the top. We will be screening an intriguing 1993 documentary, Red Ruth: That Deadly Longing. Two guest speakers, poet, novelist and professor emerita Janice Kulyk Keefer and U of T lecturer Philippa Sheppard, will discuss the film, the dynamics of the Berlau-Brecht relationship, the other women in Brecht's orbit and his importance. Tickets: $11 in advance at ruthberlau.eventbrite.com; $15 at the door.