Lavender Limelight: Lesbians in Film

Though the video box art looks a little salacious--near-blinding white light enveloping two nude women embracing breast to breast--the video is actually a fairly straight-(no pun intended)-forward talking-head presentation about lesbian filmmakers. Jennie Livingston (Paris is Burning), Rose Troche (Go Fish), Heather McDonald (Ballot Measure 9), and Cheryl Dunye (The Watermelon Woman) are among the directors interviewed as they discuss the negotiating that takes place in our society when we explore, define and recognize race, class, gender, power and sexuality. Moving back and forth between personal interviews and excerpted film clips, these women have taken on the responsibility of representing the gay and lesbian community in cinema; in fact, many gay audiences want these movies to explain gay and lesbian society to the straight world. The problem, far more evident in the features than the documentaries, is that by turning the subject of sexual preference into its own film genre, gay filmmakers are not really moving out of the box--so to speak. Nevertheless an interesting piece on indie/lesbian filmmaking and the impact these courageous voices have on American cinema today. Strongly recommended. Aud: C, P. (N. Plympton)