Fiction And Other Truths: A Film About Jane Rule

Writer/teacher/political activist Jane Rule taught in Massachusetts during the McCarthy era until homophobic pressures caused her and companion Helen Sonthoff to emigrate to British Columbia, where they have flourished ever since. Here she published her first novel, Desert of the Heart (a clip from the subsequent film illustrates its lesbian theme). During the years since, she has written more novels and been active in political causes which reflect her opposition to both pornography and censorship. Notable are her support of the gay liberation magazine and news journal Body Politic's right to publish a serious analysis of pedophilic relationships (which she refers to as "transgenerational") and her testimony at a trial related to the government seizure of materials for a gay and lesbian bookstore. This artfully photographed, lovingly produced, intelligent and humorous profile won an award as Best Documentary at the San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, but as this reviewer can attest, it speaks to mainstream viewers as well. As general audiences continue to gain awareness of gay and lesbian issues and literature, there is a need for background material and this is a fine contribution to that body of information. Highly recommended, particularly for collections emphasizing literary biography, and gay and lesbian studies. (J. Reed)