In Her Words traces the evolution of 20th-century lesbian fiction, guided by LGBTQ+ historian Lillian Faderman and featuring new insightful interviews with prominent authors such as Jewelle Gomez, Dorothy Allison, and Sarah Waters and archival footage of countless others. Directors Lisa Marie Evans and Marianne K. Martin skillfully explore the journey from early lesbian pulp novels to contemporary bestsellers, capturing the changing socio-political landscapes that influenced the genre's development.
Beginning with "The Well of Loneliness" published in 1928, the film examines how lesbian fiction progressed from tragic and covert narratives to more diverse, overtly sexual, and multifaceted stories by the late 1990s. Through archival footage and modern interviews, the documentary celebrates the triumphs of lesbian literary figures while addressing the challenges they faced, including racism, homophobia, and censorship.
Even if lesbian fiction isn’t your bag, In Her Words will draw you in with stories of writers publishing their first books and the feminist movements of the last century. Just as a writer myself, I was enthralled by many stories the writers in this documentary shared, laughing along with them as they described miscommunications with editors and the struggle of simply sitting down and writing something coherent.
Besides notable lesbian authors, several experts in printing, literary review, and history are interviewed to add additional context to the documentary. The examination of the social forces that created the modern lesbian novel will be particularly interesting to those studying queer political movements and their roots. In Her Words serves as both a homage to lesbian literature and a testament to the resilience of queer women who dared to share their stories, making it essential viewing for anyone interested in the history of LGBTQ+ literature and activism. If you’re fleshing out a lesbian literature collection, consider In Her Words an unofficial Editor’s Choice. Highly Recommended.
Where does this documentary belong on public library shelves?
In Her Words would be a perfect fit in both LGBTQIA+ collections and literary documentary shelves.
What kind of film series could use this title?
Any series on literary history or lesbian writers would be the best place to exhibit In Her Words.