Wadia, Riyad Vinci

1993

From 1935 to 1959, Fearless Nadia was the whipcracking, pistol-packing, singing, dancing, daredevil queen of the Indian screen. Riyad Wadia's spectacular biography of India's legendary stunt actress captures the unique persona of the Australian-born femme-firecracker who thrilled audiences with her daring portrayals of fearless, rough-and-ready heroines. From her first starring role as Hunterwali (The Lady with the Whip), through such hits as Diamond Queen, Lady Robinhood, and Jungle Goddess, Nadia dominated the Indian box office. The first true feminist of Indian cinema, Nadia's physical prowess and selfless fearlessness made her an idol for the oppressed peasantry of pre-Independence India (as she preached tolerance and secularism) and challenged the male chauvanism of the day. Not a lesbian herself, but certainly a strong feminist, Nadia's exploits should be immensely enjoyable to lesbian and gay audiences for her charm, charisma, and, of course, camp value.  "She was a big, butch Zorro-type who socked men in the jaw and leapt around with a whip."—Variety

Kelly, Alison

1993

Alison Kelly's A Family Affair tells a sweet story of young lesbian love and coming out to parents.

VanSant, Gus

1993

1993

Fockele, Jorg

1993

Edith was visited by the vice squad because she had a photo of her and another woman in swimsuits. Rudolf was found having fun with another boy and was immediately banished to a school in the north of England. Kathe was sent to a hypnotherapist by her parents. Wally was raped and sent to a home for problem children, where she was threatened with sterilization. This is life in Hamburg, Germany, during the '40s and '50s as told by the thirteen men and women interviewees in Enchanted. Looking back on a forgotten period in German History, they recall appalling anecdotes with calm, charm, and courage. Through the spirit of these survivors, Enchanted becomes more than a horror show; it's also a compelling and inspiring story about lesbian and gay heroism and endurance.

Longinotto, Kim

1993

Girls from all over Japan dream of attending Takaruzuka Music School and Theatre. An all-girl school, the young woman must either play female or male parts. While their training for these roles is elaborate, the shcool is equally concerned with their training to be good wives. The young women who have played male parts speak of "knowing" better a man's needs, while another who has only played women's roles complains of never getting to escape being a woman. The school's performances are pure Hollywood fantasy and the almost all-women audience is there to escape. They eagerly stand in line for hours to deliver love notes to the “male” star, described by one fan as less coarse than “real” men. This fascinating depiction of gender construction and the gap between dreams and reality, reveals that the female role has been learned well both on and off stage, but without providing the promised happily-ever-after.

1993

Haynes, Todd

1993

A perverse nod to “The Lucy Show”

1993

This overview of Arzner's life and works discusses her status as a lesbian director in Hollywood's Golden Age during which she worked with such strong female stars as Katharine Hepburn, Rosalind Russell, and Joan Crawford. Produced for the nightly BBC TV arts program, “The Late Show.”

Wehling, Susan

1993

Transcending the "so what's it like to be a transsexual?" documentary genre, Denajua, I Like My Name is a moving portrait of a charming fashion designer who happens to be a male-to-female transsexual.