If These Walls Could Talk 2

Starring: Vanessa Redgrave & Marian Seldes (1961), Chloë Sevigny & Michelle Williams (1972), Sharon Stone & Ellen DeGeneres (2000)

Directed By: Jane Anderson, Martha Coolidge, Anne Heche

Circa: 2000

Haven't seen the first one, but am now looking for it. This made-for-tv HBO movie was introduced to me by a colleague, when we were discussing options for same-sex couples living in countries where marriage is not legal for them. He said that a couple could enter into a business partnership and have all properties be named under the  business. That way, no one would need to come out of the closet. His words were, "Para wala nang magulang na sumama ang loob." That means: so no parent would have to get hurt by news that his/her son/daughter is gay.

Was actually struck by the first story, which was set in 1961. It was about two women who grew old together as partners but did not have the same legal rights as married couples. This part was so heart-felt it induced tears. The why-am-I-crying-in-the-middle-of-the-office-when-I'm-supposed-to-be-working kind of tears. Glad that this particular movie is work-related. Had a legit excuse to watch it at work.

The other two parts were set in 1972 and 2000 respectively. They had totally different issues to tackle, but were no less serious than the first. Even if Sharon Stone and Ellen Degeneres were damn hilarious in the third part.

1972 was about second wave feminist struggles while 2000 was about alternative families. My mom was still in high school in 1972 and she didn't meet my dad until years later, so it takes movies like this to make me marvel at how far we lesbians have come in terms of occupying better grounds.

One More Chance

Starring: Bea Alonzo, John Lloyd Cruz
Directed By: Cathy Garcia-Molina
Circa: 2007

One More Chanceis a story of a seemingly inseparable pair. Popoy is a control freak who constantly hovers over Basha. Prepares her food, wakes her up in time for work, meddles in her career and life decisions. Generally picks up after her messes. Basha, feeling smothered, breaks up with him.

This is a tale of everlasting love amidst the struggle for one's identity. A story that spurred a thousand conversations regarding relationships -- straight or LGBT. Most people are cheesy enough to grab quotes from the movie when their hearts are feeling downtrodden.

You may ask what this film is doing in a feminist/lesbian blog.

Malditera's answer: Popoy is a lesbian.

Come on. Name a real Pinoy who takes care of his partner as much as he does. Can name a hundred men who are controlling, yes. Lovestruck, yes. Solutions-obsessed, yes. Clingy, sometimes.

But to be this OC in taking care of a loved-one to the point that he'd almost pick her clothes out for her? He's got to be a lesbian projection.

Or a fan girl's dream. Even though I understood Basha's motive completely, being a struggling independent woman myself, can't help but feel sorry for Popoy. Am not physically attracted to him, but he embodies many of the traits I love in women. Basha could never have gotten a better het relationship.

Goodness gracious, even his stubbornness in accepting a break up is so lesbian. (As Bette of The L Word once said, you have to break up with a lesbian twice.)

Good movie. Not be a huge fan of Tagalog films in particular, but this is one of the more interesting titles our local movie industry has to offer.


One More Chance is very much in tune with social reality, which is perhaps one of the reasons why it was such a hit. Almost anyone, from all walks of life, can relate to it in various levels.

Chloe

Starring: Julianne Moore, Amanda Seyfried, and Liam Neeson
Directed By: Atom Egoyan
Circa: 2009

Chloeis pretty powerful stuff. Very much like Fatal Attraction in that a woman becomes obsessed with the object of her desire and she goes to great lengths in getting what she wants. All three actors effectively deliver emotions through non-verbal means. What little dialogue there is can be a huge jolt to the senses.

Seyfried's most compelling project to date.

An art film. Not for mainstream lovers.

The Runaways

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning
Directed By: Floria Sigismondi
Circa: 2010

Now I know why I thought Kristen Stewart looked like she could be a dyke. It's this movie's fault.

Never heard of The Runaways. Never heard of Joan Jett. Am familiar with "I Love Rock and Roll" however. Was happy to find the song's history here.

Imagine Dakota Fanning imitating David Bowie, uttering cuss words, and getting embroiled in *ahem* suggestive scenes. Shocking, yes? Had to rewind to make sure the former child star wasn't really doing anything explicit.

This is about the life of an all-girl rock band breaking into the predominantly male world of violence, sex and drugs. Disturbing eye-opener of how these jail baits were desensitized and pushed into the lions' den.

Produced by the band's founder, Joan Jett, and based on lead singer Cherie Currie's book, Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway, the film explores the intimate relationship between the two women.

Being young and gullible, these girls had to literally claw their way to the top of a cruel, testosterone-driven environment. Only to break before they even began to sizzle.



A movie so powerful, it had me searching for the rest of The Runaways' history.

"This is not about women's lib. This is about women's libido." - Kim Fowley

The Stoning of Soraya M.

Starring: Mozhan Marnò, Shohreh Aghdashloo, James Caviezel
Directed By: Cyrus Nowrasteh
Circa: 2008

The film begins with a quote from Hafez, a 14th Century Iranian Poet:

Don't act like the hypocrite,  
Who thinks he can conceal his wiles
While loudly quoting the Koran.

The Stoning of Soraya Mwas based on French-Iranian journalist Freidoune Sahebjam's La Femme Lapidée, a true story about a woman who was falsely accused of adultery and was sentenced to death by stoning. Not surprising that Stoning is banned in Iran because it appears to criticize a highly patriarchal legal system.

James Caviezel (The Passion of the Christ) plays Sahebjam, while multi-awarded Iran-born actress Shohreh Aghdashloo plays Soraya's aunt, the wise and fierce Zahra.

A scene were a man abuses the name of Allah while propositioning a virtuous woman. Trust convoluted men to warp interpretations of holy teachings in the nastiest way imaginable.

I do hope this movie is just showing us the Red Neck version of Iranian males. I'd hate to think all of them do this to their wives.

A beautiful scene of mother and daughters enjoying God's natural gifts.

A blatant womanizer crying foul. He makes me happy I live in the Philippines, even if a good chunk of our straight males are a bunch of perverts. We can at least punch holes into our pervs.

If my understanding were correct, corrupted interpretation of the Sharia Law allows for a husband to go around womanizing without fear of punishment while a wife can be found guilty despite lack of evidence.


Postponed watching this for fear of feeling gutted. Stoning is a glaring reminder that the battle for humane treatment of women (and children) is ongoing throughout the world. When we mistreat our women, we also deprive our families of a fuller experience. Anti-women laws deprive husbands of their wives and children of their mothers.

Let us be vigilant.

Kristen Stewart

Is it just me or does Kristen Stewart really have a dyke's aura?

I could be wrong. My female gaydar is very weak. Unlike my male gaydar.

Photo is a derivative work of Scarce, who also derived from Nicolas Genin's original photograph.

Lost and Delirious

Starring: Piper Perabo, Jessica Paré, Mischa Barton, Jackie Burroughs, Mimi Kuzyk
Directed By: Léa Pool
Written By: Judith Thompson, Susan Swan
Circa: 2001

This's the second lesbian movie I've seen Piper Perabo in. The first I saw was Imagine Me & Youand that is newer. Never seen Mischa Barton this young either.

Thought Lost and Deliriousis about coming of age, but it's not. It's about a lesbian who knows who she is despite her tender age but couldn't quite fit in. Set in a boarding school where all the girls have family issues and lesbian lovers struggle to conform.

Female characters are intelligent and witty, but tragically destructive. Male characters are two-dimensionally dumb.

Great dramatic film. Predictable but realistic. Emotionally gut-wrenching. Full of symbolisms. Gives new angles to many Shakespearean masterpieces. You'd be able to relate if you've been to an exclusive girls' school and ended up marrying a dude just because you wanted so much to fit in the real world.

Painful angst of teenage lesbian love. Makes me (almost) thankful I discovered my inclination when I was already an adult.

"You think I'm a lesbian? Are you f*cking kidding me? I am Paulie in love with Tory! And she's in love with me..."