A Few Good Dykes
Regie: Mocha Jean Herrup, USA 2004, 50', Video, OF
A cinematic self-portrayal where Boy Scout-fetishism meets Abu Ghraib,
depicting a boot camp consisting of two generals and some recruits who
are members of lesbian and transgender communities. It's not only about
role-play or donning uniforms. The film endeavors to find a place for
women - some from families with a military background - by creating a
lesbian subculture consisting of the "very principles the army stands
for: pride and honour". How can a female body, experienced as soft
and yielding, be made to fit into uniforms tailored for muscular lean
guys? Can you really decorate your uniform with medals you just bought
instead of 'earned' in battle? How sexy is polishing one's boots? Are
two generals allowed to play with each other? How close - as one recruit
puts it - is fetishising uniforms to fascism? Should the audience laugh
or cry at the sight of a group of armed dykes decked out in full camouflage,crawling
on the carpet mocking a war movie that appears on a huge TV screen in
front of them? Unintentional comedy, tragedy, amazement or admiration
is all in the eye of the beholder.
The peculiar, almost innocent lack of self-analysis and irony turns this
documentary into an important piece not only of lesbian but of North American
cultural history. A film Michael Moore could not have staged more pointedly,
proving once more that bourgeois morals have even greater shock value
than any type of excess could possibly have. |
A Woman Reported
Regie: Chris J. Russo, USA 2004, 5', 35 mm, OF
While chatting with her girlfriend on her mobile phone about what to
eat for
breakfast, a woman sets out for a run in the woods. She is attacked in
the forest by two homophobic rednecks and has to run for her life. Rather
than showing what's happening to her, we wit-ness the chaotic images racing
through her mind. |
Aliens
Regie: Crystal Mason, u.a.
Deutschland 2004, 25', Video, dt.
Aliens gives perspectives on and portrays various realities of "lesbians
of color" living in Germany. |
Annie Dearest
Regie: Diane Wilkins, USA 2003, 5', Video, OF
Shot in the style of B&W educational movies of the 1950's, Annie
Dearest is about a strict mother trying to teach her deaf-mute daughter
a language lesson - employing dubious methods ranging from
laughable helplessness to bone-chilling brutality. This gripping featurette
is a
clever metaphor for the ignorance that deaf-mute children (as well as
the community itself) still encounter.
|
Annie Sprinkle's Amazing World
Of Orgasm
Regie: Annie Sprinkle & Sheila Malone, USA 2004, 53', Video, OF
This film takes you on an entertaining and eyegasmic journey with Annie
Sprinkle, Ph.D., the porn star turned transmedia artist and sexologist.
The film features interviews with 26 "orgasm experts" from various
walks of life. The interviews are inter-cut and layered with a lively
collage of archival film clips, special effects and images of people having
all kinds of sex - masturbation, lesbian sex, gay sex, transgender sex,
S/M sex, disabled sex, hetero sex (to name a few). The soundtrack includes
original music and sound-scape by Sheila Malone. Until now, the subject
of orgasm has been surrounded by ignorance, shame, and a cultural agenda
to keep sex information secret. When you take this lively, thought-provoking,
and sexy ride with Sprinkle and friends, it will change your view of orgasms
forever.
|
BAD GIRL WITH A HEART OF GOLD
Regie: Anuj Vaidya, Indien/USA 2004, 52', Video, engl. mit Hindi Untertiteln
Bad Girl with a Heart of Gold is an exceptional narrative that traces
the journeys of four characters played by Bollywood icon, Helen, in the
Hindi films of the 60's and 70's. Through re-enactments (where the filmmaker,
Anuj Vaidya, embodies Helen), found footage and original scenes, the video
explores the reasons why Helen has to die within the confines of their
filmic space and begin to talk to one another in an attempt to figure
out how they can change their fate. Bad Girl merges with the high camp
of the Bollywood musical with a deeper analysis to explore the politics
of representation and the nature of performance and melodrama, and in
doing so asserts the hybridity that is essential to all of us as post-modern
subjects. |
BOMBAY LONGING
Regie: Georgina Maddox & Shalini, Indien 2001, 3,30', Video, engl.
A coming out story that uses poetic excerpts from her daily journal of
everyday encounters. It ends moaningly happy. |
CALCUTTA PRIDE MARCH 2004
Regie: Tejal Shah, Indien 2004, 15', Video, Englisch, Hindi & Bengali
menglU
Homosexuality remains criminalized in India under Section 377 of the
Indian Penal Code [IPC].
In June 1999, on a rainy day a small group of Hijras, kothis and gay men
walked down the streets of Calcutta. They called it a "friendship
walk". A walk to assert our rights as people of alternative sexuality
and gender. This was a landmark event in the history of the LGBT movement
in India.
This walk was later consolidated into an event called "WALK ON THE
RAINBOW, 2003", the first Pride march to commemorate the Stone wall
riots ever to be held in India (Calcutta).
On June 27 2004, the second Walk on the Rainbow was held in Calcutta.
There were participants from West Bengal, Delhi, Bombay, Srilanka and
Thailand to name a few. This documentary is a record of this 2nd Pride
march. In the film I try to bring to surface the role that the media plays
in the representation of LGBT communities to the world outside and the
differing points of view held by different people on the pride march and
the position of queer people in India right now, making this into a sociological
document. The interviews range from on-lookers, participants, police,
plain clothes intelligence agent, allies and supporters.
|
Carisma
Regie: David Planell, Spanien 2003, 10', 35 mm, Omengl.U
Paca lives for documentaries like the‚Three O'Clock News Report',and
‚60 Minutes' until she discovers that Jenny has found an other.
A wonderful short film with tragic comedy dialogues on love in the Information
Age. |
Combien
Regie: Gilles Tillet & Laurent Coltelloni, Frankreich 2004, 7,30',
Video, OF
Combien? - How Many? Three couples in three bedrooms play a game
called "how many". |
D.E.B.S.
Regie: Angela Robinson, USA 2003, 90', 35 mm, OF
Discipline. Energy. Beauty. Strength. A killer fashion sense. Do you
have what it takes to join the D.E.B.S.?
"A refreshing and witty comedy, D.E.B.S. blasts onto the screen with
sophisticated humor, sexy super spies and high-tech action. Laced with
an enchanting love story, Angela Robinson's debut feature is a skillful
and stylish satire of teen comedy and action adventure films.
Selected by the U.S. government for their unique abilities to lie, cheat,
fight and kill, the D.E.B.S. have more than a few tricks up their skirts
- they form a highly trained, top-secret paramilitary group disguised
in tartan and knee-highs. ..... While on a stakeout of international master
criminal Lucy Diamond (Jordana Brewster), the foxy brunette bank robber
so dangerous no crime fighter has ever confronted her and lived to tell,
a shootout occurs and Amy is captured. That's when the sparks fly - instead
of killing Amy, Lucy asks her out! Sleeping with the enemy is grounds
for dismissal, so Amy stages her own kidnapping and spends a steamy weekend
with her sparkly suitor."
Kirsten Schaffer, Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
|
Ein Neues Land
Regie: Kerstin Nickig, Deutschland 2004, 35,47', Video, russisch-deutsch
mdt.U
A New Country (Russian and German with German subtitles)
The Berliner Astrid meets and falls in love with a Siberian theatre director
Larissa while working at a circus for street kids in St. Petersburg. Yet,
when attempting to travel from 'the new country' of their love to reality,
they run up against constant visa problems. Consequently they decide to
get married and thus begins their drudgery through German and Russian
bureaucracy. Their upcoming marriage raises questions about identity,
relationships and dealing with stereotypes coming from those closest to
you. |
Epitaph
Regie: Lila Ghobady & Moslem Mansouri, Iran/Schweden 2004, 33', Video,
Farsi mengl.U
In Iran today, prostitution has acquired broad dimensions. Many married
women, widows, young and underage girls have to sell their bodies to make
a living. Networks related to the religious administration governing Iran
are involved in the buying and selling of girls. Sex trade is appealing
to them and they make big profits from it. Meanwhile, the religious government
in Iran is stoning women to death for sex out-of-marriage, has imposed
compulsory veiling or 'Hejab', and does not allow women the right to choose
their own mode of dress. This film is a snap-
shot showing a small part of the conditions endured by prostitutes in
Iran in their own words. |
Everything Must Come To Light
Regie: Mpumi Njinge, Paulo Alberton, Südafrika 2002, 24´, Video,
Zulu mengl.U
The filmmakers Mpumi Njinge and Paulo Alberton offer a very different
view onto Soweto, which became tragically known on June, 16th, 1976, when
over 500 black children and young people got wounded or killed by the
apartheid´s regime army.
In the South-Africa of today interesting and "eccentric" women
are living peacefully. With beautiful images and close interviews this
documentary tells wonderful stories about loving women and being a sangoma,
a healing woman.
|
F*Stop
Regie: Roberta Degnore, USA 2004, 10', Video, OF
When sex, drugs and escape from success don't kill you, they force you
to make a career move. That's what Cyanne doesn't learn, when she blows
her last big photo shoot. But this time when she runs, she is stopped
by extraordinary bikers who teach her what courage - and art - are really
about. |
Faces In The Crowd
Regie: Fatime Kahveci, Deutschland 2001, 7,3', Video, dt.
Two women -strangers to one another- stand across from each other in
the underground. As two men begin to catcall at them both, a solidarity
between the two women is formed. This mutually experienced harassment
within an anonymous context allows a fleeting intimacy to develop between
these two women.
|
Flash Girl
Regie: Janine Bliefeling, Petra Stiegler, Deutschland 2004, 4', Video,
dt.
Just another day and erotic surprises are around the corner. |
Fly Cherry
Regie: Jessica Sharzer, USA 2003, 14,23', Video, OF
A misfit in her world, dismissed by her mother and sister, is determined
to find her own wings and escape. An old lady, mysterious and gentle,
gives her advices. |
Forerunners
Regie: Pazeet Ben Hayl, Galit Shaked, Israel 2003, 60', Video, hebr.m.engl.U
Filmmakers Pazeet Ben Hayl and Galit Shaked's dynamic documentary tells
the story of women trying to live their dreams of playing professional
women's soccer in Israel. With fancy footwork and a tenacious competitive
spirit, the Hapoel Tel Aviv women'' soccer team defends their Israeli
National Cup Championship title. Even with their enormous talent, can
the team withstand the added pressures of family crisis, working multiple
jobs, the growing feud between the star player and coach, and the ever-looming
possibility that the league might fold due to lack of attendance (they
have one fan)? Excellent soccer footage, compelling drama, and hot soccer
players combine for a film that's sure to score!
San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival
|
Freedom To Marry
Regie: Laurie York, Carmen Goodyear, USA 2004, 57´, Video, OF
Between February 12th and March 11th, 2004 more than 4000 gay couples
followed the example of Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon and married in San
Francisco. Laurie York and Carmen Goodyear interviewed seven of them.
In addition to their desire for more rights and privileges, their love
in
longterm relationships and a wish for "normality" is portrayed.
In their struggle to make this come true, heterosexual allies and their
own children are seen as helpers to the cause, which for some of them
is "the most important civil rights issue of our generation."
A humorous and moving documentary, which reminds us of the better days
and the ongoing struggle, since the Supreme Court of California annulled
these marriages in August, 2004. |
Gestern Heute Morgen
Regie: Verena Waldbröhl, Christine Altrock, Julia Haarbrücker,
Deutschland 2004, 7', Video, dt.
A journey in lesbian history - this short documentary portrays an older
lesbian, a lesbian couple with two kids and a young lesbian. |
Headspace
Regie: Mia Olin, USA 2004, 53,34', Video, OF
A colourful, witty and steamy account of the professional Los Angeles
S&M scene. Doms and Dominatrixes candidly speak about their community,
families, work, clients, toys and fashion. While we watch them make their
slaves / clients sweat and scream, they crack jokes about their own profession
or earnestly explain certain pulleys & ropes they have invented. Beautifully
shot and edited, this feature-film-length documentary surely won't bore
you even if the content is not earth-shattering news. Warning: cock teasing/torture,
needles & blood, mummy sex. |
Hearts Cracked Open
Regie: Betsy Kalin, USA 2004, 57', Video, OF
This documentary provides the first in-depth look inside the world of
lesbian Tantra with its ancient ecstatic practices and sexual techniques.
Through interviews with Tantra teachers and students, workshop footage,
and daily practices, "Hearts Cracked Open" celebrates sexuality
and coupling in the lesbian community while also promoting discussion
about this usually hidden aspect of our lives. The process of learning
Tantra is ultimately a transformative experience. It cracks open the heart
to a wider range of emotions and deeply felt sensations as women reclaim
the fullness of their beings. As Annie Sprinkle says, "a Tantric
lesbian is a happy lesbian." |
Hevalino
Regie: Violeta Uman, Argentinien 2003, 12', Video, stumm mengl.U
Hevalino arrives in planet earth on an intergalactic flower. Isolda suffers
from a disease that keeps her in-side her tower, and that is why her father
takes care of her like something precious. One afternoon, as she is playing
the violin, Hevalino walks by the castle and hears the tune. Isolda looks
through the window, sees him and falls in love. "Hevalino" is
inspired by Leonora Carrington's short story "The Seventh Horse"
(1943). |
Homo Sapiens International
Regie: Nadine Hauptmann, Lynette Luis, Franziska Pyko, Deutschland 2003,
10', Video, dt.
People from different countries: what are they thinking of lesbians and
gays? |
Hummer
Regie: Guinivere Turner, USA 2003, 9,58', Video, OF
Gorgeous Guin Turner has come a long way from her Go Fish-innocence:
here she's a sassy been-there-done-that femme trying to score the perfect
date. Yet, she's just discovered the latest candidate's flaw: humming
a merry tune isn't everyone's idea of post-orgasmic bliss… luckily,
her shy roommate turns out to be more innovative. |
I Wanna Be A Butch
Regie: Marie Vermeiren, Belgien 2002, 2,15', DVD, engl.
How to be a butch: gestures and rituals and the cult music of Les Reines
Prochaines. |
I'm So Excited
Regie: Annabelle Wick & Henry Foerster, Deutschland 2004, 4', Video,
nur Musik
Karaoke at it's best: scenes from gay and lesbian cult films edited together
at a lightning-speed pace to the pulsing beat of the Pointer Sister's
song "I'm so excited" make you hot for more... |
In Good Conscience - Sister Jeannine
Gramick's Journey Of Faith
Regie: Barbara Rick, USA 2003, 121,48', Video, OF
In 1999, Rome issued the ultimatum to Sister Jeannine Gramick: condemn
homosexuality as "intrinsically evil" or risk your life in the
church. An unlikely rebel, Sister Jeannine Gramick feels called by God
to devote her life to a compassionate ministry to gay and lesbian Catholics,
striving to make a place within the church for those who have been historically
ignored or reviled. When the ultimatum came, Sister Jeannine saw only
one path. "I choose not to collaborate in my own oppression by restricting
a basic human right," she said. "To me this is a matter of conscience."
The price for choosing conscience over obedience was great. Sister Jeannine
was commanded by the church to be forever silent, never to speak or write
about homosexuality, never to criticize the Vatican publicly or privately
and never to speak of the church process that led to the silencing. But
Sister Jeannine would not be silenced. We follow Sister Jeannine to Rome
as she dares to approach those who commanded her silence, the "Congregation
for the Doctrine of the Faith." (The Sister sweetly points out that
historically, the name of the Congregation was "The Office of the
Inquisition.") Back home, she gently approaches a bigot carrying
a "God hates fags" sign. Directed by Emmy winner Barbara Rick,
and shot by legendary documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles (Gimme Shelter,
Grey Gardens), In Good Conscience is a project of love funded entirely
by donations from prominent humanitarians such as Ellen DeGeneres and
Susan Sarandon. |
In The Company Of Women
Regie: Lesli Klainberg & Gini Reticker, USA 2004, 75', Video, OF
Women have played a significant role in reshaping the images of women
onscreen, cultivating a rich and increasingly diverse representation of
complex characters. Lesli Klainberg and Gini Reticker's inspiring, eye-opening
look at female filmmakers affirms the experience and contributions of
women as directors, writers, actors and critics. The documentary uses
interviews, film footage and stills to chart the increasing presence of
women behind the camera and their influence on the growth of independent
American film over the last two decades. Jodie Foster, Lisa Cholodenko,
Allison Anders, Tilda Swinton and Shari Frilot (to name a few) explore
the influence of feminism, the importance of American queer cinema and
the critical venue that film festivals provide. An inspiring chronicle
that celebrates women in film.
Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
|
Inescapable
Regie: Helen Lesnick, USA 2003, 82', Video, OF
Sometimes the desire between two women, regardless of the consequences,
is inescapable. This delightful tale of lesbian erotica finds juicy, forbidden
passion bursting out of the safe, serene world of suburban professional
lesbians. Jessie is peeved when her girlfriend Susan plan a trip to Oregon
to visit Beth, Susan's ex-girlfriend and college sweetheart. But when
Jessie meets Beth's girlfriend, Chloe, Jessie experiences overwhelming
desire. Jessie and Chloe attempt to satisfy their passion wherever and
whenever they can, risking discovery by their girlfriends. Inescapable
is a steamy romp filled with seduction and numerous erotic scenes. Enjoy
these delicious women in all their devious embraces.
Los Angeles Gay And Lesbian Film Festival
|
Intent
Regie: Mary Ann Marino, USA 2003, 14,09', Video, OF
A short intensely suspenseful thriller that leaves the audience with
an indelible afterimage of a full length feature film. An ambitious -
and very attractive detective investigates the case of a serial killer
who 'specialises' in killing lesbian couples. As the case draws to dramatic
closure, the heroine must come to terms not only with the killers' ruthless
brutality, but also with her own desires.
|
La Fidanzata
Regie: Petra Volpe, Schweiz 2004, 11', Schweizerdeutsch/Ital. mengl.U.
Lolo, 30, a second-generation Italian, and his lover Manuel are about
to celebrate their one-year-anniversary. The evening starts on a high
note: as a surprise for Lolo, Manuel has dressed up as Sophia Loren, which
Lolo seems to enjoy beyond measure. However, this romantic tete-à-tete
comes to an abrupt end when Lolo's granny shows up on his doorstep. Lolo
just manages to hide Manuel in his bedroom before Nonna Concetta storms
into the flat. Nonna at once notices that romance is in the air and thinks
that her grandchild has finally found a ‚fidanzata' - a fiancée.
And now the unexpected occurs.... |
Liberty: 3 Stories About Life And
Death
Regie: Pam Walton, USA 2004, 54,40', Video, OF
This documentary tells the tale of a group of friends in San Francisco,
structured in three chapters. The women have known each other for over
twenty years and have shared various relationships with one another. Now
they are between 50 and 70 years old and the issue of dying is more and
more a reality. In "Death to Life", Joyce passes away due to
a brain tumor and Mary Bell, in "Life to Death", dies of lymphatic
cancer. At the same time, life becomes more precious. In "Life"
their friend, the artist Nan Golub, portrays a humorous and thoughtful
picture of their lives. |
Listen
Regie: Susan Justin, Canada 2004, 2,45', Video, OF
A daughter's coming-out to her mother falls on deaf ears. Sometimes people
just don't want to listen.
|
Little Black Boot
Regie: Colette Burson, USA 2003, 16,12', Video, OF
Tomboy Cindy's crush on the most popular girl in school receives a boost
when her best friend transforms her into the beau of the prom.
Los Angeles Gay And Lesbian Film Festival
|
Lucie & Vera
Regie: Julia von Heinz, Deutschland 2003, 25', Video, dt.
Vera runs away from home. She meets Lucie on the streets and from then
on they are inseparable. When Vera becomes pregnant and initially does
not want to keep the child, Lucie convinces her to carry out the pregnancy
in her name. They move in together and attempt to create a 'normal' family
life. In the end both of them are not yet grown-up enough for the situation.
The film is based on a true story. |
Make A Wish
Regie: Sharon Ferranti, USA 2003, 96', Video, OF
Does the idea of going on a camping trip with your ex and all of her
exes make you want to scream? It gets even scarier in Make A Wish, Sharon
Ferranti's lesbian horror-slasher picture. A gaggle of horny babes gathers
for an all-girl sleep-over in the woods. One by one, the women meet grisly
fates, turning this extended dyke hike into a bona fide fright fest. Who's
to blame? The creepy Wiccan chick? The bisexual hussy? Her jealous boyfriend?
That weird guy with the crossbow? The female forest ranger? Make A Wish
grabs you and won't let go - even after the credits roll. Bring your girlfriend
- and all the exes.
Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
|
Mansa (Human)
Regie: Arwa Mamaji, Indien 2003, 4,13', Video, stumm
The essence of the film lies in discovering in the end the true Mansa/Human.
We experience a day in the life of Mansa. There are subtle signs expressing
the close mindedness of an otherwise liberal society. The film is based
on the theme "Another World Is Possible". It was made for the
World social forum that took place in India in the 2004. |
Many People Many Desires
Regie: T Jayashree, Indien 2004, 45,16', DVD, Hindi mengl.U.
This film by acclaimed documentary filmmaker and activist T Jayashree
with the excellent camerawork of Avijt Mukul Kishore (Kumar Talkies) explores
the intersections of sexuality, class, gender identity and human rights
in India. Set in the city of Bangalore in Southern India, it records the
desires, aspirations and struggles of young hijras, transsexuals, kothis,
doubledeckers, lesbians and gays. The film is both a skillfully crafted
documentary, as well as an important piece of work for consciousness raising. |
Maria Hilf
Regie: Cora Heitzmann, Sabine Weber, Deutschland 2004, 17´, Video,
dt.
This short film accompanies some Berlin lesbians along their journey
to gay pride in Altoetting. In this infamous destination of religious
pilgrimage for Mary, the otherness and alienation of the one's own society
is revealed. |
Memoirs Of An Evil Stepmother
Regie: Cherien Dabis, USA 2004, 18', Video, OF
A modern take on the Snow White fairy tale, this dark comedy pokes at
our culture's obsession with youth and beauty.
Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival |
Mi cuerpo inerte en un paraje desolado
Regie: Alejandra Borja, Spanien 2003, 6', Video, span.Omengl
(My inert body in a desolute space)
Every night she repeatedly experiences her own death. This poetic and
sensitive short film intertwines dreamlike and real landscapes of an authoress
obsessed with her own mortality. |
Mind If I Call You Sir
Regie: Mary Guzman, USA 2004, 30', Video, OF
The relation between transgendered people (trannyboys and FTM in this
case) and lesbians has never been easy. Is the proximity of 'unruly' and
hard-earned masculinity a matter of shared space, of closeness, or where
does a politics of differentiation come into play? And what role does
race play in all this? In this documentary, Latina butches and FTMs begin
to speak to each other, share their experiences and address what often
remains silent. |
Moskobiye
Regie: Iwajla-Roma Klinke, Deutschland 2004, 8', Video, arab./engl. mengl.U.
100 women and children are among the currently imprisoned 7,500 Palestinians
in Israel. As representatives for many of these women, four formerly incarcerated
women speak about their experiences in Moskobiye, a Jerusalem detention
centre, infamous for its harsh conditions of detention.
Surrounded by shopping streets and cafes, in the middle of the old quarter
of Jerusalem, Shabak (the Israeli domestic secret service) also has its
offices located there. Following their arrest, all of these women were
sent there for interrogation often lasting days or weeks. Amne, Rula,
May and Khulod tell what their day to day life was like in Moskobiye,
about interrogations, torture and
mistreatment. |
Mother Country
Regie: Tina Gharavi, UK 2003, 24', Video, OF
Over 20 years ago, at the age of six, director Tina Gharavi left Iran
and her mother, to go and live with her father in the West. She has not
seen mother or homeland since. This intensely personal film follows her
own experiences. Tina employs actors to play out the roles of her and
her mother as they look on, in order to facilitate communication between
the pair. But as the visit draws to a close, her mother remains elusive
about why she sent her away, while Tina has a bombshell of her own - her
coming-out, to drop.
|
Nachbarinnen
Regie: Franziska Meletzky, Deutschland 2003, 88', 35 mm, dt.
(Neighbours)
Postal employee Dora lives a life of duldroms in her flat on the outskirts
of the city, tending to the thorns of her meticulously kept cacti collection
and the leftovers of her ex who disappeared after 19 years without a word,
fostering her reclusive life. When Jola, the undocumented worker in the
neighbourhood bar, knocks on her door and seeking a hide-out from the
police, Dora reluctantly lets her into her flat. Once in her life however,
Dora becomes increasingly fascinated with Jola. Unable to cope with her
blossoming feelings, she lies about the state of the police investigations
to keep Jola to herself. Of course this cannot last forever - Jola finds
out and Dora has to make a series of decisions. A tender, well acted and
entertaining story of an awakening.
|
On Becoming A Woman
Regie: Diane Wilkins, USA 2001, 8,2', Video, OF
An amusing version of a guide for virtuous maidens, promising 'forbidden
fruit' to actually be the juiciest. |
On The Shelf
Regie: Sara Zia Ebrahimi & Naomi Skoglund, USA 2003, 12', Video, OF
A homage to booklovers, "On The Shelf" is a humorous love story
about a girl who is particular about the contents of her date's shelf. |
One Wedding and a Revolution
Regie: Debra Chasnoff, USA 2004, 19,10´, Video, OF
Gay marriage is a divisive issue in the US today. It therefore came as
a real surprise when San Francisco's mayor Gary Newsom decided to hand
out marriage certificates to same-sex couples. Debra Chasnoff´s
documentary shows the decision-making processes leading up to Del Martin
and Phyllis Lyon -the first couple to |
Out For Bubble Tea
Regie: Desiree Lim, Canada 2003, 16', Video, OF
Three young immigrants from Hong Kong hang out at the neighborhood bubble
tea house chatting about crushes, relationships and their parents.
Los Angeles Gay And Lesbian Film Festival |
Plasma
Regie: Mara Mattuschka, Österreich 2004, 11', Video, nur Musik
A film about the enigmatic interaction between subject and reality. King
Kong is Rigoletto. Mara Mattuschka plays her own alter ego, the artist
Mimi Minus enters the cabinet of mirrors in the Viennese Prater, a world
of broken images. The distortion is transfered to Mimi. Her reflection
becomes a grotesque reality. The deformed, disgusted Mimi flees to the
street and thereby to the beginning of the film. She meets herself there
again. The mirror image stares at her own original. Mimi regains sovereignity
over her own shape, yet now Plasma spreads herself out in the world of
objects. King Kong melts. With a twinkle in her eye, Mara Mattuschka's
film weaves together societal critique, philosophical analysis and artistic
imagery. |
Rainbow Pride
Regie: Marie-Jo Ferron, Canada 2004, 56,46', Video, OF
"Rainbows everywhere": no other gay or lesbian symbol shares
the popularity of the rainbow flag. Marie-Jo Ferron´s documentary
offers insight into the history of the US gay and lesbian movement through
the use of interviews and historical footage. From Stonewall and Judy
Garland to Harvey Milk and the rainbow banner - this movie demystifies
myths as well as creating new ones.
|
Risk
Regie: Melanie La Rosa, USA 2004, 19', 16 mm, OF
When Gaby and Katy meet by chance on the ferry, they come face to face
with unexpected feelings and stark realizations about their own lives.
Each takes risks to pursue love in this opposites-attract story. Melanie
La Rosa's first fiction film uses evocative scenes to offer an insight
into Katy's restlessness and Gabe's fear of moving on. |
Rock Pool
Regie: Linn Kirkenaer, Australien 2003, 11', Video, OF
A surrealistic piece about two women, who chance upon each other at a
natural 'pool' along the waterfront. One of them clutches a big red suitcase
as if her life depended on it, apparently on the run. As the story hesitantly
unfolds, we are fed intriguing bits and pieces of the women's personal
histories… whether or not these are real events, fantasies or delusions
is open to interpretation, just as the strange, intensive attraction that
unites the two strangers for a fraction of their lives.
|
Sex, Lies And Darwin
Regie: Paul Oremland, UK 2004, 28,21', Video, OF
Nature films on animals tend to have an obsessive, almost transgressive
quality. Their objects of study play their own part in it: for example
the hyenas that also fascinated Monika Treut. This BBC documentary portrays
the transsexual Stanford biologist Joan Roughgarden and her theories that
challenge Darwin's theory in addressing the myriad of gender varieties
in the animal world. |
Skate Her
Regie: Kristin Wygal, USA 2003, 6', Video, OF
The fun and adventure of being a girl skater, hanging out with a group
of like-minded friends and the drawbacks of being discriminated against
by straight skaters for being female. |
Slow Day
Regie: Armiti Khamush, Bettina Wagner, Deutschland 2004, 7', Video, dt.
She feels lonely... tongue-in-cheek lesbian fashion tips how to turn
the heads of all the girls. |
Special Guest Program
curated by Natasha Mendonca, Tejal Shah, Larzish 1st International Film
Festival Of Sexuality and Gender Plurality, India
In 2003 the 1st International Film Festival Of Sexuality and Gender Plurality
took place in Bombay, India. Although homosexuality is still criminalized
in India a group of the most courageous people we ever got to know started
to build up the festival within a few months. We are proud and happy that
a collaboration between the Berlin Lesbian Film Festival and Larzish,
the International Film Festival Of Sexuality and Gender Plurality could
succeed. It's a pleasure for us to present in our 20th year a guest package
by Larzish to our audience with new and inspiring films from India. We
especially would like to thank Natasha Mendonca and Tejal Shah, the most
beautiful people in the true sense, for all their energy, enthusiasm,
artistic ability and knowledge they bring to the LGBT community. |
Strangers In Our Sameness
Regie: Zane Thimmesch-Gill, USA 2003, 55', Video, OF
"Strangers In our Sameness" is a moving documentary following
a young FTM (female-to-male transsexual) in his struggles with the public
and private implications of reshaping his body. In an intimate conversation
with the camera, he discusses his own doubts and issues in his decision
to have a sex change in the context of the pressure to conform to a binary
gender fixated society. The dialogues with the camera are set off by impressionistic
scenes of nature and explicit scenes of the operation of his breasts.
"Strangers in our Sameness" deals with the topic of FTM in an
unusually candid, complex and deep manner. Zane Thimmesch-Gill won the
"Most Promising Filmmaker" award for his film in the US. Warning:
explicit scenes of medical operations.
|
Surrender
Regie: Katherine Brooks, USA 2003, 75', Video, OF
Surrender is an erotic SM drama of self-discovery centered on two women:
Salene and her naïve new roommate, Georgia. I want to give 'power
back to women where men take it away' so says lesbian dominatrix Salene
(Katherine Hill) to Georgia (Julia Clary) when questioned on her noctural
activities. Salene, a struggling writer, escapes her troubled past by
becoming a dominatrix in LA's underground SM subculture. Georgia finds
herself drawn to Salene and to this forbidden new world. They are instantly
attracted to each other and Georgia's wish to partake in Salene's whipping
sessions is granted. The two embark on an underground journey of whippings,
submission and hot lesbian sex at bath time. But heck there's trouble
ahead! When a murder occurs in the close-knit SM community, both women
must take stock of their lives and make serious changes. Kate Hill is
particularly strong as Salene, a very sexy woman to watch on screen especially
when she gets her toys out.
|
TALES OF NIGHT FAIRIES
Regie: Shohini Ghosh, Indien 2002, 74', Video, Bengali & Englisch
menglU
Five sex workers, four women and one man- along with the filmmaker/narrator
embark on a journey of story telling. Tales of The Night Fairies explores
the power of collective organizing and resistance while reflecting upon
contemporary debates around sex work. The simultaneously expansive and
labyrinthine city of Calcutta forms the backdrop for the personal and
musical journeys of storytelling.
The film attempts to represent the struggles and aspirations of thousands
of sex workers who constitute the DMSC (Durbar Mahila Samanay Committee),
an initiative that emerged from the Shonagachi HIV/AIDS Intervention Project.
A collective of men, women, and transgendered sex workers, DMSC demands
decriminalization of adult sex workers and the right to form a trade union. |
The Anti Film
Regie: Gala Magrina & Nelda Turcios, USA 2003, 25', Video, OF
The Anti Film is an urban adventure of two hot, hip, but totally dysfunctional
girls, Scottie and Renata, that are together, but would never refer to
themselves as gay (and they know exactly why!) This dark comedy is not
your average gay film. The two girls do not need the label "gay"
to define themselves nor define the places that they must comfortably
function within on a daily basis. The adventure heightens as Scottie and
Renata run through the streets of New York. With music blaring and love
in their eyes, they blow up one of New York City's cheesiest girly bars
- Henrietta Hudson's and embrace for a much awaited Hollywood ending kiss. |
The Day After Today
Regie: Natasha Mendonca, Indien 2004, 12', Video, nur Musik
A short video about love, longing and loss. |
The Lesbian Centennial Project
Regie: Kathryn L. Beranich, USA 2003, 68', Video, OF
The stories, musings and opinions of 100 lesbians create a composite
look at the lesbian experience in the 20th century. The Lesbian Centennial
Project is an oral history that mixes social commentary with candid personal
experience. It is also an archival snapshot of the issues of concern to
lesbians at the end of the most significant Century in the history of
our subculture. Younger lesbians, raised with a heightened awareness of
lesbian history, recognized the role World War II played in the development
of the lesbian community while older lesbians, who had been closeted most
of their lives, were coming out in their retirement.
|
The Nearly Unadventurous Life Of
Zoe Cadwaulder
Regie: Buboo Kakati, USA 2003, 12,1', Video, OF
A girl's parents are killed by a meteorite shower (but at least she was
able to save the family chicken). Ever since this day, she lives in constant
panic and fear of being killed in a freak accident or natural catastophe.
Just her luck, she ends up falling for an adventurous girl who's a sucker
for extreme sports. |
The Rules
Regie: Laura Black, USA 2003, 29,36', Video, OF
Kyla, a bored, lonely housewife, embarks upon a phone sex game with a
mysterious woman, Melanie.
With rules known only to them, the two women play the game and one-up
each other through stories of fantasy, half-truths and deception. But
Kyla wishes more from the relationship. She expresses this, and Melanie
scoffs at the notion. Secretly,Melanie finds herself intrigued by the
idea. When Kyla is about to end the phone sex game for good, Melanie suggests
pushing the boundaries. The game escalates. |
The Undergrad
Regie: Michele Mahoney, USA 2003, 39´, Video, OF
Michele Mahoney was inspired by the cult film "The Graduate"
for her drag king remake. Ben, a bored undergrad, embarks upon a sexual
relationship with Mrs. Robinson, an older woman. While the original movie
from 1967 criticised the double standards of its day, Mahoney presents
various lifestyles in the drag king universe. Along with unexpected Outings
(Diane Torr as Bud Braddock), gay men marry and frat boys get down. Only
one thing is missing: the wonderful music by Simon & Garfunkel. "Mrs.
Robinson" is only heard as a mobile phone tune. |
The Undergrad
Regie: Michele Mahoney, USA 2003, 39´, Video, OF
A young woman lives a failed love story with another woman. She travels
in an oneiric world in seek of herself. Beautiful images and a non-linear
structure invite the spectator to read the story like a dream.
|
Trans - Leben zwischen den Welten
Regie: Natascha Imfeld, "Theo" Yeliz Karapolat, Deutschland
2004, 13', Video, OF
Theo loves women and feels like a (trans)man. Up until now he has lived
without a sex change operation in the body of a woman. A touching portrait
of the biography, identity and issues facing a transexual and his friends. |
Transit
Regie: Kerry Weldon, USA 2003, 3,5', Video, OF
In the middle of the night on a downtown train, an exchange of glances
promises everything or nothing.
|
Troo Bloo
Regie: Debbie Ng, USA 2003, 2,43', Video, OF
Meeting over a Tapioca drink, these two gorgeous Asian dykes only need
the length of a Madonna song to seriously fall in love. |
Utopia
Regie: Lila Ghobady & Moslem Mansouri, Iran/Schweden 2004, 31', Video,
Farsi mengl.U
In 1981, with the start of the war between Iran and Iraq, many people
were forced to leave their homes and flee to Tehran and other major Iranian
cities. While according to state-run newspapers the majority of the Iranian
people live below the poverty line and suffer from hunger, the Iranian
government officials are amongst the richest in the Middle East. This
film shows the lifestyle of the people who survived this war and the life
they must lead under the Mullahs theocracy. |
Who Can Speak Of Men!
Regie: Ambarein Al Qadar, Ghazala, Yasmin Nihal Ahmad, Indien 2003, 34',
Video, Hindi menglU
Chini is a 7year old girl. Kafeela and Arshi are women in their late
twenties. Along with the filmmaker, they share a middle class neighborhood
and stories in the form of memories and encounters where they are seen
as everything women are not to be! WHO CAN SPEAK OF MEN! is a collection
of anecdotes about the everyday encounters of its characters as cross
dressers within the neighborhood, families and beyond. Situated within
the overlapping spaces of memory, recollection and desire, the film explores
the fluidity of sexual identities and its contradictions with the way
gendered identities are socially constructed. The visibility of the body
as it 'appears' is at odds with how it is experienced. The film raises
some interesting debates with the mainstream media by having cross-dressed
women share their experience of masculinity and being men.
The film is strongly rooted in the local geography of place from within
which its characters work and live. Zakir Nagar is a result of large-scale
migration of Muslims from all over the country in the wake of specific
and communal anxieties. The struggles of the character are closely allied
with the struggles of the filmmaker herself, as being a part of the same
neighborhood for the last twenty years, escaping the history and representation
of their community has been inevitable. The film is an attempt to counter
the historically constructed category of the middle class Muslim woman
as the victim by focusing on the grass root levels at which notions of
selfhoods are individually asserted and heterogeneity is sustained. |
Women On The Grass
Regie: Marie Vermeiren, Belgien 2003, 27', DVD, dt./engl. mengl.U.
A documentary on the annual women's music festival in Hunsrück,
Germany which draws international musicians and simultaneously creates
a space for political and cultural exchange for women from all over the
world. Marie Vermeiren has captured the lively atmosphere of the participants
of the festival in interviews and concert clips. |
Women Videoletters
Regie: diverse, Israel, Türkei, Irak, Palästina, Mexiko, Deutschland,
Uruguay, Argentinien, Niederlande 2004, 70', Video, engl./dt.
The 'women video-letters' are a collection of short video films between
1 and 10 minutes long by women, from a variety of regional perspectives
give their views on inequality, militarisation and war. The concept behind
this project was developed at a video activism meeting in Berlin, in 2001.
Women from diverse video initiatives from India, Germany, Mexico and Switzerland
decided to make their own statements on the political aftermath of 9/11.
Some of the issues focused upon include the war in Afghanistan and the
introduction of a racist, socalled 'Security' legislation in Germany.
The video letters document political actions, offer statements and analyse
everyday life. What outlooks do women, heterosexuals, lesbians or transgender
people have on the every day reality of war or on the ordinariness of
war? What happens to the urgency of war within the context of feminist,
lesbian structures, projects and networks? What can develop out of the
desire for an alternate way of life? |
You Fake
Regie: Maureen Bradley, Kanada 2003, 6', Video, OF
What do women do in bed? After a bad one-night stand, Morgan looks for
solace from her best friend only to be confronted with self-rigtheousness.
Their disagreement results in a high-stakes bet to find out how many dykes
fake it. |