Famed dyke and queer media connoisseur Roach gifts us a list of must-watch lesbian media for cuffing season.
The World to Come
Director: Mona Fastvold
Release Year: 2020
Roach Speaks: I know sapphic movies oft have a reputation for being tragic, but this one might truly take the cake (don't say I didn't warn you). Although a glum look at the reality of the American frontier for two women in the mid-1800s, this movie is rife with yearning and poetic observations of daily farm life. I'm always left with a handful of snotty tissues and a reminder of how sustaining the tenderness of a shared dream can be, regardless of its likelihood for fulfillment.
The Incredibly True Adventures of 2 Girls in Love
Director: Maria Maggenti
Release Year: 1995
Roach Speaks: I LOVE this movie!! It feels so genuine and truly captures how goofy and giggly it is to be a teenager in love. They're so real for the dialogue in this one, you'll be groaning and blushing right along with the characters. This is an easy-going lesbian dramedy that won't leave you in a funk over ~ the general plight of lesbians throughout all of human history ~. WARNING: this movie won't just leave you asking 'Do I need a vest?' but will have you asking 'How many vests do I need?'
Reaching for the Moon
Director: Bruno Barreto
Release Year: 2013
Roach Speaks: Based on the relationship of a real couple -- American poet Elizabeth Bishop and Brazilian architect Lota de Macedo Soares. The movie follows the ups and downs (and more downs) of their relationship, primarily at an insanely cool midcentury home built by Lota herself in Brazil. There's an ex that still resides on the property, addiction issues, and enough talk of getting a baby to keep these women busy for the length of the movie. A period piece of the 50s/60s, it's pretty to look at and spotlights Lota's architecture, landscape design, and (good) masc wardrobe. Unfortunately, there's no "feel-good" ending to this movie...who could have guessed?
Motherland: Fort Salem
Director: Eliot Laurence
Release Year: 2020
Roach Speaks: So this is NOT a movie, but it's my favorite TV series ever. My movie bro wife even concurs and she's a certified TV show hater. Please envision an alternate timeline -- where the head witch in Salem signed an accord with the US government to save their lives, and now for generations witches have been conscripted into a special unit of the US military. This series follows three young witches who end up as roommates at bootcamp and must work together to save the world from evil (or whatever, right? no big deal). One of the main characters is a lesbian and (immediately) finds a girlfriend; their relationship gets significant screen time throughout every season. I appreciate the show's use of this couple and other queer characters to show how very gendered and/or hetero traditions can be adapted and evolved to include everyone, even within institutions like the military.
The third and final season spends a lot of time in, 'The Cession,' a portion of former US land reclaimed by native tribes. These native characters are actually allowed to extend beyond a stereotype and represent seven different regions and language groups. Providing some real representation for once!! The show was intended to continue beyond three seasons, but was cancelled too soon. :( They did manage to change up the final season and acceptably wrapped up the story, leaving minimal loose ends.
There's so much I could say about this show, but really you just need to know that it has a unique story, beautiful special effects, and a passionate cast that make it so enjoyable to watch over and over again.
