Girl on Girl

Girl on Girl is a riveting and thought-provoking documentary that unveils a profound topic that's rarely addressed in mainstream cinema - the lives, struggles, and experiences of lesbian women who appear heterosexual, often referred to as "femme" or "lipstick" lesbians. Featuring celebrities such as Lauren Bedford Russell and Karen Sabel Lewis along with several other women who identify as "femme", the film unfolds deep-seated societal prejudices and discrimination, even within the larger LGBTQ+ community.

Directed and written by the astute visual artist and advocate of LGBTQ+ rights, Jodi Savitz, Girl on Girl is a tapestry of interwoven heartfelt stories and experiences of 'femme' lesbians from different walks of life. In shedding light candidly on their lives, it offers an authentic portrayal of their struggles with invisibility, invalidation, and stereotyping, creating a relatable and empathetic viewpoint to the audience.

Lauren Bedford Russell, an actress and fashion designer renowned for her role in the reality television series, The Real L-Word, brings a sense of charisma and dexterity to her role. Sharing her own experiences, Lauren offers a unique perspective on the struggles faced by 'femme' lesbians. A prominent figure in the LGBTQ+ community, her role in the documentary is crucial, bringing forth her personal insights into the convoluted dimensions of gender perception and roles.

Karen Sabel Lewis, another central figure in the documentary, is an acclaimed psychologist whose articulate and intuitive understanding of the subject matter adds gravitas to the narrative. Drawing on her professional acumen, Karen elucidates the complex dynamics of sexuality, societal judgments, and internalized prejudices.

Girl on Girl is not just an exposure of the significant challenges that 'femme' lesbians confront on a daily basis but also a celebration of diversity within the lesbian community. Illuminating the diversity and welcoming an array of voices, the film challenges the monolithic representation of lesbians in media. While the world perceives lesbians through a biased lens, this film clears the fog of ignorance and instills clarity about the many identities within the community.

The documentary presents a series of captivating and emotive individual narratives that candidly explore their journeys of discovering and embracing their sexual orientation. It forefronts the silent battles they wage against the constant dismissal of their identities owing to their feminine appearance. This gender bias results in their marginalization not just from the heterosexual community but also from within the LGBT+ community, where they're often perceived as not being "gay enough".

Using a close lens, the documentary also shows how these women assert their identities and navigate through the challenging landscapes of daily living. Savitz, through her intense storytelling, emphasizes the difficulty of living in a world that constantly demands proof of their homosexuality.

Moreover, Girl on Girl challenges societal definitions of femininity and masculinity, aiming to shatter stereotypical notions of what a lesbian "should" look like by highlighting the fact that appearance doesn’t define a person's sexuality. It advocates that femininity doesn’t inherently equal heterosexuality. It also addresses the issue of femme invisibility, underlining how these biases and misconceptions cause erasure of identities and intimate isolation.

The cinematography deserves special mention, as the documentary is shot superbly, capturing the emotions and experiences of the 'femme' lesbians in the most sincere and raw manner. The heart-wrenching tales are balanced with instances of joy, love, and acceptance, making the documentary a beautiful blend of resilience, strength, and hope.

Girl on Girl makes an earnest attempt to amplify the neglected voices within the LGBT+ community and bring about a change in the perceptions of people, both within and outside of it. The stories are sincere, heartbreaking, empowering, and above all, real. All in all, it's an important piece of work that addresses a grossly overlooked subject, opening doors for further conversation and understanding.