LYKEable Celluloid

photo by Dackel Photography. DackelPhotography.com
As far back as 1965, LYKEable vixens could be found onscreen as homicidal go-go dancers kicking ass in the desert. A little more than a decade later a mega-fan of the aforementioned film created a mocking homage to lesbianism through an X-rated take on a Disney fairy tale that includes drowning via dog food, a primitive sex change, and ass-induced suffocation. The 90s seemed to provide the most takes on the subject. The black and white, quintessential lesbian film of all-time, explores the issues of a lack of lesbians sited in history, why it is unacceptable to dress like a hippie, and what is the best term for vagina. A modern adaptation of a Joyce Carol Oates novel finds a group of sexually-confused girls tormenting football players, driving around town singing L7 songs, and giving each other makeshift tattoos; oh yeah, and there’s lots of topless shots of Angelina… pre boobs, that is. A seemingly classic noir that looks more like a hetero-male fantasy has two sexy convicts leaving men behind and making their own decadent fun. Riot grrrl helps a girl to come of age and find love with a real-life star of Lilith Fair. The least functional member ofThe Breakfast Club delves into the world of photography, same-sex promiscuity, and enough smack to finally knock off Keith Richards. A sleepaway camp plays host to a 5-step program to rid campers of their homosexuality in one of the most celebrated gay films of the past ten years. Even the cinematic lord of the hobbits explored the topic through a story revolving around Mario Lanza, clay figurines, and one very special brick.

Since the 90’s mainstream cinema has experienced an onslaught of films focused on lesbianism. There was Kevin Smith’s shockingly realistic Chasing Amy, and then that one where you see Ellen’s boobs, and even the one where Charlize Theron hooks up with the chubby girl from The Addams Family. Okay, so maybe mainstream cinema hasn’t exactly embraced lesbians up to this point, but the history of the medium does prove to have a handful of truly great and LYKEable films about the topic. And no, I’m not referring to those which Cinemax begins airing every night around 2 a.m. about all-girl nudist camping trips. Each of the films featured in “LYKEable Celluloid” looks at lesbianism in a different light, whether it is meant to empower the community, make a teenager feel more comfortable in their own skin, break down cultural norms, or simply to promote humorous self-deprecation. Some of these will leave you in joyous tears and some in hysterical laughter, but they are all undeniably great films that take the time explore a subject that, even in 2008’s painfully politically correct and supposedly tolerant society, it can be difficult for the average LYKEable person to come about.

Some of the films featured in “LYKEable Celluloid” will be pretty obvious and guessable, but hopefully some will be new to you. I can guarantee that a few of these come from very unexpected places. As this is a topic that is mostly ignored in film and it is already hard enough to find good examples (because I can assure you I have little to no interest in the kind of movies regularly shown on Logo and neither should you), I am more than willing to look at reader requests. With any luck we will be able to build a comprehensive library of LYKEable films because no one should ever have to watch Fried Green Tomatoes. -Izzy Cihak

 

Question to Reader: Do you consider yourself a LYKEminded film buff? Well, if you can be the first person to name all 9 of the films alluded to in this article, LYKE has a special prize for you.

Hint: Don’t think Google or the “Gay & Lesbian” section at the TLA will be any help to you.