Since the inception of Hollywood, movies have played a significant role in both shining a light on and obscuring the lives of lesbians. While the overtly homophobic Hays Code era ended in the 1960s, it wasn’t until the last 30 years that queer women have been able to be more visible both in front of and behind the camera, showcasing the diversity within the lesbian community. Little waves of momentum have been building, leading to the creation and success of films like “Bottoms,” “Drive-Away Dolls,” and “Love Lies Bleeding,” which have been a recent representation of the lesbian experience in mainstream cinema. This progress started with openly lesbian films in the 1980s and has continued to evolve since then.
In the early 1990s, a pivotal moment in lesbian cinema occurred with the release of the film “Go Fish,” which was widely appreciated for portraying the everyday lives of a contemporary lesbian friend group. This film went on to have a significant impact on lesbian filmmakers and audiences, as it was the first widely released lesbian film to reflect the real lives of diverse and young lesbian women. Directed by Rose Troche and written by Guinevere Turner, the film was shot in black and white and provided a refreshing perspective on lesbian relationships, different from the traditional narratives often seen in lesbian cinema at the time.
The success of “Go Fish” opened doors for other aspiring lesbian filmmakers, leading to a new era of lesbian cinema that explored a broader spectrum of queer experiences, identities, and relationships. Filmmakers such as Maria Maggenti, Cheryl Dunye, Lisa Cholodenko, Kimberly Peirce, Jamie Babbit, and Angela Robinson went on to create their own iconic queer films, adding more depth and diversity to the representation of lesbians on screen. This period also saw the transition of some lesbian filmmakers to television, with the debut of shows like “The L Word” in 2004, further enhancing visibility and representation for the lesbian community.
Despite the progress made in lesbian cinema over the past three decades, challenges persist in getting lesbian films the mainstream recognition they deserve. While LGBTQ film festivals continue to play a crucial role in showcasing queer filmmakers’ work, the changing landscape of independent cinema and the overwhelming amount of content available present obstacles in getting lesbian films the exposure they need. Creators like Guinevere Turner, Lilly Wachowski, and Angela Robinson are still fighting to get their queer projects greenlit, indicating that the struggle for queer representation in Hollywood is an ongoing battle that needs to be addressed.
As lesbian cinema continues to evolve, with classics like “Go Fish” finding new audiences through restorations and retrospectives, there is still much work to be done to ensure the visibility and representation of lesbians in mainstream media. The legacy of films like “Go Fish” serves as a reminder of the progress that has been made but also highlights the need for continued efforts to push for more authentic and diverse representations of lesbian experiences on screen. The journey towards greater visibility and acceptance for lesbian filmmakers and stories in Hollywood is ongoing, with creators and audiences alike advocating for more inclusive and representative storytelling in the industry.
