Lesbian historical drama: A *Short* List

List creator: LSteele Created on: August 27, 2005 - 1:22 PM PDT Description: Looking for good lesbian flicks set in the past? Here are the best of the very few...

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	movie title	related list	average rating	MPAA rating	watch	rent	buy
	Fingersmith (2005)			Not Rated
I heartily recommend this film to anyone who loves lesbian romances and/or BBC costume dramas. One of the most compelling explicitly lesbian relationships I have seen in cinema, with unusually realistic love scenes!!! Based on the Dickensian novel by Sarah Waters.
	Tipping the Velvet (2002)
A lesbian romp through Victorian London. Fun, with decent sex scenes (which caused a stir in Britain when it first aired on BBC), but a little silly. Based on the novel by Sarah Waters.
	Aimee & Jaguar (1999)
Compelling, based on the true-life romance of a German uber-mother and a Jewish woman. The DVD contains interesting extras, including pics of the actual couple during WWII.
	The Watermelon Woman (1996)			Not Rated
Not entirely set in the past, but alternating between contemporary events and the (fictional) account of a Black American actress in the 1930's. Very entertaining, and an interesting take on lesbian history and role models.
	Sister My Sister (1994)
Starring Jodhi May in a technically lesbian role that is not at all the healthy sort she portrays in "Tipping the Velvet." But this dark film is very evocative of 1930's France, and the domestic duties performed by the sisters (who are maids in an eccentric woman's house) could drive anyone mad. Mercifully short erotic scenes.
	Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)			Not Rated
A Southern belle and a tomboy in the 1930's. It's true that the overt lesbian relationship in the novel by Fannie Flagg has been downplayed in the film--no sex! But the DVD contains an interesting "making-of" documentary in which the director more explicitly describes certain scenes -- like the sensual food-fight -- as romantic/erotic.
	Desert Hearts (1985)
Love and the closet in 1950's Nevada, based on the 1964 novel by Jane Rule. Because the film was made in 1985, and we're living in the 21st century, I think it qualifies as "historical." Easy to overlook because it's such a classic, but you know, the sex scenes aren't bad!
	Entre Nous (1983)
The lesbian relationship is more subtle, but this film seems to capture the context of Europe during and after WWII.