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Paris Is Burning
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Paris Is Burning

1990
Penetrating the tight-knit community of minority drag queens living in New York City, Jennie Livingston's acclaimed documentary offers an early glimpse at the art of "voguing," the underground dance style later popularized by Madonna in her hit song. The film also explores issues such as racism, homophobia and AIDS, while offering a detailed examination of the intricate Ball culture, in which queens are judged for their style and expression.

Directed by:

  • Jennie Livingston
    • rating:3.8.png 3.8 Average Rating


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    Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement
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    Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement

    2009
    Forty-two years of romance, struggle and shared adventures finally culminate in marriage for lifelong lesbian couple Edie and Thea, who met in the 1960s and stayed together through the turbulent decades of activism and social change that followed. Looking at pictures from their past, the women marvel at simple triumphs -- buying their first house together -- and reminisce about the constant fear of exposure they once felt.

    Directed by:

  • Susan Muska
    • rating:3.7.png 3.7 Average Rating


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    Before Stonewall
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    Before Stonewall

    1984
    Life was very different before the 1969 Stonewall riots put the issue of gay rights front and center in America. Using archival films and interviews with gays and lesbians who were forced to hide their sexuality for fear of reprisals, this documentary by Robert Rosenberg, Greta Schiller and John Scagliotti sheds light on American gay life from the 1920s to the 1960s and the sociopolitical climate that finally led to profound change.

    Directed by:

  • Greta Schiller
    • rating:3.7.png 3.7 Average Rating


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    Boys Don't Cry
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    Boys Don't Cry

    1999
    Based on actual events, director Kimberly Peirce's powerful, often harrowing drama stars Hilary Swank (in an Oscar-winning performance) as Brandon Teena, a transgender young man searching for love and acceptance in a small Midwestern town. But even as he forges a deep connection with local beauty Lana (Chloë Sevigny), the prejudices of the community threaten to doom the fledgling romance.

    Directed by:

  • Kimberly Peirce
    • rating:3.6.png 3.6 Average Rating


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    Chris & Don: A Love Story
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    Chris & Don: A Love Story

    2007
    The relationship between author Christopher Isherwood and artist Don Bachardy is chronicled in this documentary through home movies, interviews and readings from Isherwood's journal.

    Directed by:

  • Tina Mascara
    • rating:3.6.png 3.6 Average Rating


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    Priest
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    Priest

    1994
    Director Antonia Bird's film centers on Father Greg Pilkington (Linus Roache), a devout Catholic priest who struggles with a love for his church and congregation -- and his secret life as a homosexual with a gay lover (Robert Carlyle). After hearing the confession of a young girl in his parish, who tells him her father is sexually abusing her, the priest is torn between the laws of the church and his need to choose one life over the other.

    Directed by:

  • Antonia Bird
    • rating:3.5.png 3.5 Average Rating


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    One Nation Under God
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    One Nation Under God

    1993
    This documentary explores the humorous techniques -- including theory from psychiatry and religion -- proposed to "cure" homosexuals. Through interviews and footage from the annals, the argument is made that homosexuality is nothing short of an affliction that can be treated. "Former" lesbian women are featured getting beauty tips, while "former" gay men take to the football fields to prove their masculinity.

    Directed by:

  • Teodoro Maniaci
  • Francine Rzeznik
    • rating:3.4.png 3.4 Average Rating


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    Leslie Jordan: My Trip Down the Pink Carpet: Live in Atlanta
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    Leslie Jordan: My Trip Down the Pink Carpet: Live in Atlanta

    2010
    Filmed live in Atlanta, Leslie Jordan's one-man show features the Emmy-winning actor, writer and comedian's amusing offbeat riffs on life, celebrity encounters with everyone from Boy George to George Clooney, and being a gay Southern man. Using material culled from his book by the same name, Jordan offers up a hilarious -- and occasionally poignant -- account of Hollywood and his own fascinating life experiences.

    Directed by:

  • Amanda Bearse
    • rating:3.4.png 3.4 Average Rating


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    Handsome Harry
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    Handsome Harry

    2009
    For many years, small-town resident Harry Sweeney (Jamey Sheridan) has avoided confronting painful memories from his past. But when his best friend becomes seriously ill, Harry builds up enough courage to explore long-hidden secrets and uncover his true identity. Bette Gordon directs this character-driven drama that boasts a strong ensemble cast featuring Steve Buscemi, Aidan Quinn, John Savage and Campbell Scott.

    Directed by:

  • Bette Gordon
    • rating:3.4.png 3.4 Average Rating


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    The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls
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    The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls

    2009
    Trace the fascinating lives of New Zealand's provocative music and comedy duo Jools and Linda Topp through this enjoyable documentary, which details the lesbian twins' rural upbringing, political activism and immense popularity at home and abroad. Featuring hilarious interviews with several of the sisters' most outrageous alter egos, this joyous celebration also includes brilliant insights into New Zealand's history.

    Directed by:

  • Leanne Pooley
    • rating:3.4.png 3.4 Average Rating


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    Loving Annabelle
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    Loving Annabelle

    2006
    An esteemed young poetry teacher at a Catholic boarding school (Diane Gaidry) risks everything when she engages in a feverish affair with a female student (Erin Kelly) in this controversial story of forbidden love. Directed by Katherine Brooks and co-starring Ilene Graff, this passionate yet sensitive romance explores the complexity of an unconventional relationship in the face of rigid traditionalism.

    Directed by:

  • Katherine Brooks
    • rating:3.4.png 3.4 Average Rating


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    Paris Was a Woman
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    Paris Was a Woman

    1996
    Between the World Wars, Paris was the world's artistic capital, attracting cultural titans like Gertrude Stein and others. Through home movies and intimate storytelling, this documentary re-creates the mood of this unique female artistic community.

    Directed by:

  • Greta Schiller
    • rating:3.2.png 3.2 Average Rating


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    The Man of My Life
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    The Man of My Life

    2006
    When Frédéric (Bernard Campan) and his family meet a gay man named Hugo (Charles Berling) while vacationing in the Provençal countryside, their lives are irrevocably changed, as the two men develop a strong yet unconventional friendship. Although Frédéric is happily married to his wife, Frédérique (Léa Drucker), his bond with Hugo challenges the strength of his marriage and ultimately inspires him to reevaluate his life.

    Directed by:

  • Zabou Breitman
    • rating:3.2.png 3.2 Average Rating


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    High Art
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    High Art

    1998
    Magazine editor Syd (Radha Mitchell) is stuck in a dreary relationship with her boyfriend (Gabriel Mann) when she befriends her upstairs neighbor Lucy (Ally Sheedy), a well-known photographer whose live-in actress girlfriend (Patricia Clarkson) is struggling with a drug addiction. Lucy fascinates Syd, and the pair hit it off. But when Syd calls on Lucy to do an assignment for the magazine, their friendship soon grows into something much more.

    Directed by:

  • Lisa Cholodenko
    • rating:3.2.png 3.2 Average Rating


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    Sister My Sister
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    Sister My Sister

    1994
    This darkly engaging film dramatizes real-life events that scandalized French society in the 1930s, when Christine (Joely Richardson) and Lea Papin (Jodhi May), sisters who worked as maids, murdered their overbearing bourgeois mistress and her daughter. Their lives stifled by their employer, the sisters also formed an incestuous sexual relationship. Nancy Meckler directs this tale of rage and twisted love that also features Julie Walters.

    Directed by:

  • Nancy Meckler
    • rating:3.1.png 3.1 Average Rating


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    Bedrooms and Hallways
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    Bedrooms and Hallways

    1998
    At the suggestion of a friend, gay Leo (Kevin McKidd) enters therapy after many failed relationships make him fear for his social life. In a group session (led by Simon Callow), Leo comes clean about his feelings for a straight member of the group (James Purefoy), which leads to an affair between the two. The situation becomes further complicated by the appearance of Leo's high school sweetheart (Jennifer Ehle), who still has feelings for him.

    Directed by:

  • Rose Troche
    • rating:3.1.png 3.1 Average Rating


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    Now and Then
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    Now and Then

    1995
    Waxing nostalgic about the bittersweet passage from childhood to puberty in this tender coming-of-age tale, four childhood girlfriends -- Teeny, Chrissy, Samantha and Roberta -- recall the magical summer of 1970. During their walk down memory lane, they reconcile experiences with boys, secrets, bullies and more. Lesli Linka Glatter directs; Gaby Hoffmann, Ashleigh Aston Moore, Cloris Leachman, Thora Birch and Christina Ricci co-star.

    Directed by:

  • Lesli Linka Glatter
    • rating:3.8.png 3.8 Average Rating


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    Now and Then (1995)
    A heartwarming movie about four childhood girlfriends who, in adulthood reunion, relive their experience of the life-changing summer of 1970, including a mystery death, divorce, standing up to the boys, first kiss, and the meaning of true friendship. Each explores her unique identity amidst family and friends. Beautifully directed by Lesli Linka Glatter.
    - Frances   
    We periodically update our movie database by adding new female directors and their movies. If you would like to receive notice of these new additions when they happen, please email us at:
    frances 'at' femaledirectors.com