Look for the Signs: Christy Salters Martin and Lisa Holewyne on “Christy”
I went into David Michôd’s biopic “Christy” knowing nothing about its titular boxer. I knew I would be interviewing the film’s real-life subject, Christy Salters Martin, the following morning, and was delighted to see her in attendance at the press screening. She was accompanied by her wife, Lisa Holewyne, who had formerly been her adversary […]
Hannah Welever on shaking things up with her sex positive short “Soirée”
Hannah Welever is a queer filmmaker based in New York, but her roots are Midwestern. In her newest short, “Soirée,” Welever creatively holds space for women’s bodies, and how often they are misunderstood. After an unfortunately awkward hookup gone awry, Reed (Naomi Walley) takes a literal trip inside her body, and meets the personification of […]
Florence Bouvy on examining themes of human connection, pain, loss, and love, in “Where We Stay”
From writer and director Florence Bouvy, “Where We Stay” is a beautiful and touching examination of human connection and unspoken truths. The film was partially inspired by Florence’s own story of loss, when her father was diagnosed with terminal cancer and the period of pain, grief, and love that followed. She noticed how in those […]
A Conversation with Cheryl Dunye on “Stranger Inside”
Cheryl Dunye is best known for her iconic film “The Watermelon Woman” — a tale of an aspiring Black lesbian filmmaker (played by Dunye herself) who seeks to learn more about the actress behind a mammy figure in 1940s film, credited only as The Watermelon Woman. But “Stranger Inside,” which screened at Brooklyn Academy of […]
Sav Rodgers elevates the film that saved his life in “Chasing Chasing Amy”
“This movie that saved my life also holds a complicated and controversial history in the queer film canon. I’m not seeking to change anyone’s mind with this film, but to recognize the importance of engaging in dialogue around different perspectives and understanding where and why they come about–be it personal, cultural, or historical.” Sav Rodgers, […]
Filmmaker Jac Cron on her feature debut “Chestnut”
I had the opportunity to speak with Jac Cron about her feature debut “Chestnut.” We talked about how she came to this project, and how her time after college was very pivotal for her. We talk about her star Natalia Dyer (Stranger Things), and how perfectly, authentically, and vulnerably she played the main character Annie. […]
Femme Film Friday (Pride Month Edition): “Cora Bora,” “Fancy Dance,” “Am I OK?”, and “Inside Out 2”
Cora Bora – Hannah Utt (script written by Rhianon Jones) Catch the NYC and LA premieres this weekend! Megan Stalter reminds me of Catherine O’Hara when she was getting started in films like “After Hours,” and “Heartburn.” You saw this spark in her as a character actor, and knew there was a lot beneath the […]
Uniquely Euphoric: Bridget Frances Harris and Virginia Alonso-Luis on “Places of Worship”
Every once in a while, I come across a film that feels as if it has been made especially for me. That happened most recently at this year’s joyous in-person installment of my wife Rebecca Martin Fagerholm’s Cinema Femme Short Film Festival held at Chicago’s historic Music Box Theatre. As soon as Bridget Frances Harris’ […]
Jaclyn Bethany and Greta Bellamacina on their masterfully crafted coming-of-age film, “Tell That to the Winter Sea”
“Tell That to the Winter Sea” is a masterfully crafted journey into womanhood, filled with captivating performances, stunning visuals and assured direction. The film brings me back to being a pre-teen and teenager by insightfully exploring the bond between girls when they are creating something in the world. “Tell that to the Winter Sea” brings […]
Sundance 40 Review: An Intersectional Exploration of Transmasculinity and Identity Makes “Desire Lines” A True Standout
On Friday, January 19th, the Utah House of Representatives voted to advance a restrictive anti-trans bill outlawing trans people from using bathrooms aligning with their gender identity. It will now go to the Republican controlled senate for approval. Three days after the advancement, Jules Rosskam’s film “Desire Lines” premiered in Park City, Utah. A multilayered […]
Guinevere Turner on her book ‘When the World Didn’t End: A Memoir’ and her groundbreaking indie “Go Fish”
Speaking with “American Psycho” screenwriter Guinevere Turner about her book When the World Didn’t End: A Memoir and her films that have changed the face of independent cinema, like “Go Fish” (1994), and “The Watermelon Woman” (1996), was an absolute dream to me. This year, Guinevere Turner came out with a book about growing up […]
Emma Seligman on her queer sex comedy “Bottoms,” starring Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri
“I feel like we’ve watched so many male anti-hero stories, whether they’re comedies or dramas or mysteries, and it’s crazy that in 2023, we’re still so hungry for shitty, flawed women on screen.” –Emma Seligman A film that changed the game in 2021 was writer/director Emma Seligman’s small independent film, “Shiva Baby,” a comedy about […]