Lesbianism in Film: A History - Chronological List
Chronological Listing of Films
NOTE: Titles in the alphabetical[1] and chronological lists annotated with "[H-Histsex: <name>]" were listed by members of the H-Histsex forum[2] in a thread commencing 10th October 2008 and accessible via H-Net's on-line discussion logs for H-Histsex[3]. The thread began with a general query about the history of lesbianism in film, so contributions ranged widely across genres and regions, and encompassed films featuring lesbian central characters and plots, as well as those with only minor characters or scenes; or in which the lesbian theme appears as an assumption, suggestion, suspicion, or accusation, or as an experiment or a possibility not or not fully realized. There are also some listings, marked as "[TV]", for made-for-television films, feature-length episodes of television series, and series with lesbian principal characters or themes. Documentary films are marked "[Documentary]", and posters to H-Histsex recommended The Celluloid Closet[4] and Fabulous![5] listed below as documentaries on the history of homosexuality, male and female, in film. An attempt has been made to give a basic indication of the relative importance of lesbian characters, themes, and plot-elements in the various titles, where known.
Additions and Corrections: Those wishing to make minor additions or corrections to this list, but not to edit this page, can send contributions by e-mail to an address specifically created for that purpose[6] - please note that this e-mail address is a personal one created solely to facilitate additions to the lists below, and has no connection with the hosts, administrators, or owners of OutHistory.org, or indeed those of H-Histsex or H-Net on which the original lists of films were posted. For new titles, please include as much information as you know; and please indicate clearly whether you wish to be personally identified as the contributor of information, or would prefer your contribution to be included anonymously (in which case it will be marked as "by correspondence").
1914
Florida Enchantment, A (1914) [IMDb][7] [Frameline][8] - [H-Histsex: Trista Kendall]
1929
Büchse der Pandora, Die ["Pandora's Box"] (1929) [IMDb][9] - [H-Histsex: Emma Vickers, Lesley Hall]
1931
Mädchen in Uniform (1931) [IMDb][10] - [H-Histsex: Lesley Hall]
Working Girls (1931) [IMDb][11] - [H-Histsex: R. Ertug Altinay]
1949
Törst ["Three Strange Loves", "Thirst"] (1949) [IMDb][12] - [H-Histsex: Ivan Crozier]
1961
Children's Hour, The (1961) [IMDb][13] - [H-Histsex: Tracy Penny Light]
1963
Tystnaden ["The Silence"] (1963) [IMDb][14] - [H-Histsex: Ivan Crozier]
1966
Persona (1966) [IMDb][15] - [H-Histsex: Ivan Crozier]
1968
Killing of Sister George, The (1968) [IMDb][16] - [H-Histsex: Julie Peakman, Lesley Hall]
1971
Devils, The (1971) [IMDb][17] - [H-Histsex: Julie Peakman]
1972
Bitteren Tränen der Petra von Kant, Die ["The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant"] (1972) [IMDb][18] - [H-Histsex: Svanur Pétursson]
1975
Comedy In Six Unnatural Acts, A (1975) [IMDb][19] [Frameline][20] - [H-Histsex: Trista Kendall]
1978
Alucarda, la hija de las tinieblas (1978) [IMDb][21] - [H-Histsex: Julie Peakman]
1980
Yo, la peor de todas ["I, the Worst of All"] (1980) [IMDb][22] - [H-Histsex: David Sonenschein]
1982
Personal Best (1982) [IMDb][23] - [H-Histsex: Lesley Hall]
1983
Coup de Foudre (1983) [IMDb][24] - [H-Histsex: Lesley Hall]
Lianna (1983) [IMDb][25] - [H-Histsex: Lesley Hall]
1985
Desert Hearts (1985) [IMDb][26] - [H-Histsex: Tracy Penny Light] (principal characters)
1986
Kamikaze Hearts (1986) [IMDb][27] - [H-Histsex: Lesley Hall]
1987
I've Heard the Mermaids Singing (1987) [IMDb][28] - [H-Histsex: Lesley Hall]
She Must Be Seeing Things (1987) [IMDb][29] - [H-Histsex: Lesley Hall]
1989
Shuang zhuo [“The Twin Bracelets”] (1989, Taiwan) [IMDb][30] - [H-Histsex: Leon Antonio Rocha]
1990
Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit [TV] (1990) [IMDb][31], based on novel by Jeanette Winterson (1985) - [H-Histsex: Terrence Lockyer] (principal character and plot-element)
1992
Between the Lines [TV] (1992-4) [IMDb][32] - [H-Histsex: Terrence Lockyer] (principal and secondary characters, significant sub-plot)
Bitter Moon (1992) [IMDb][33] - [H-Histsex: Terrence Lockyer] (principal characters, brief sequence)
Tai tai de qing ren [“My Wife's Lover”] (1992, Hong Kong) [IMDb][34] - [H-Histsex: Leon Antonio Rocha]
1993
Potluck and the Passion, The (1993) [IMDb][35] - [H-Histsex: Trista Kendall]
1994
Go Fish (1994) [IMDb][36] - [H-Histsex: Lesley Hall]
Heavenly Creatures (1994) [IMDb][37] - [H-Histsex: Julie Peakman, Terrence Lockyer] (principal characters)
Sirens (1994) [IMDb][38] - [H-Histsex: Terrence Lockyer]
1995
Celluloid Closet, The [Documentary] (1995) [IMDb][39], based on book by Vito Russo (1981, 1987) - [H-Histsex: Donna Knaff, Benjamin Kahan, Svanur Pétursson, Margaret Robinson]
Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls In Love, The (1995) [IMDb][40] - [H-Histsex: Margaret Robinson] (principal characters and plot)
Showgirls (1995) [IMDb][41] - [H-Histsex: Terrence Lockyer]
Tank Girl (1995) [IMDb][42] (principal characters, single scene)
1996
Bound (1996) [IMDb][43] - [H-Histsex: Margaret Robinson, Terrence Lockyer] (principal characters)
Fire (1996) [IMDb][44] - [H-Histsex: Lesley Hall; by correspondence: Ivan van Laningham]
Two Mothers for Zachary [TV] (1996) [IMDb][45] - [H-Histsex: Terrence Lockyer] (principal subject)
Watermelon Woman, The (1996) [IMDb][46] - [H-Histsex: Tracy Penny Light]
1997
Chasing Amy (1997) [IMDb][47] - [H-Histsex: Terrence Lockyer, Margaret Robinson] (principal character)
Ice House, The [TV] (1997) [IMDb][48], based on novel by Minette Walters (1992) (suspicion / assumption about principal characters)
Mei li zai chang ge [“Murmur of Youth”] (1997, Taiwan) [IMDb][49] [NYT review, free registration required][50] - [H-Histsex: Leon Antonio Rocha]
1998
Goo waak chai ching yee pin ji hung hing sap saam mooi [“Portland Street Blues”] (1998, Hong Kong) [IMDb][51] - [H-Histsex: Leon Antonio Rocha]
High Art (1998) [IMDb][52] - [H-Histsex: Terrence Lockyer] (principal characters and plot)
Ji sor [“Intimates”, “Self Comb”] (1998, Hong Kong) [IMDb][53] - [H-Histsex: Leon Antonio Rocha]
Midsomer Murders (season 1, episode 4): Faithful Unto Death [TV] (1998) [IMDb] [54] (significant characters and plot-element in episode)
Oi joi yue lok guen dik yat ji [“Love and Sex of the Eastern Hollywood”] (1998, Hong Kong) [IMDb][55] - [H-Histsex: Leon Antonio Rocha]
1999
Better Than Chocolate (1999) [IMDb][56] - [H-Histsex: Margaret Robinson]
But I'm A Cheerleader! (1999) [IMDb][57] - [H-Histsex: Margaret Robinson]
Sam dung [“Tempting Heart”] (1999, Hong Kong) [IMDb][58] - [H-Histsex: Leon Antonio Rocha]
Silent Witness (season 4, episode 3): A Good Body [TV] (1999) [IMDb][59] (minor characters and plot-element in episode)
Todo sobre mi madre ["All About My Mother"] (1999) [IMDb][60] - [H-Histsex: Svanur Pétursson]
2000
101 Reykjavík (2000) [IMDb][61] - [H-Histsex: Svanur Pétursson] (principal characters and plot-element)
After Sex (2000) [IMDb][62] - [H-Histsex: Terrence Lockyer] (principal characters)
Attachments [TV] (2000-2) [IMDb][63] - [H-Histsex: Terrence Lockyer] (principal and secondary characters)
Dr T and the Women (2000) [IMDb][64] - [H-Histsex: Terrence Lockyer] (significant characters and sub-plot)
Haijiao tianya [“Incidental Journey”] (2000, Taiwan) [IMDb][65] - [H-Histsex: Leon Antonio Rocha]
If These Walls Could Talk 2 (2000) [IMDb][66] - [H-Histsex: Margaret Robinson, Noreen Giffney] (principal characters)
Libertin, Le ["The Libertine"] (2000) [IMDb][67] - [H-Histsex: Terrence Lockyer] (secondary characters)
Truth About Jane, The [TV] (2000) [IMDb][68] - [H-Histsex: Terrence Lockyer] (principal subject)
2001
Gaudi Afternoon (2001) [IMDb][69], based on novel by Barbara Wilson (1990) - [H-Histsex: Terrence Lockyer] (significant characters)
Kissing Jessica Stein (2001) [IMDb][70] - [H-Histsex: Terrence Lockyer, Margaret Robinson] (principal characters and plot-element)
Midsomer Murders (season 4, episode 6): Tainted Fruit [TV] (2001) [IMDb][71] (significant characters and plot-element in episode)
Youyuan jingmeng [“Peony Pavilion”] (2001, Hong Kong) [IMDb][72] - [H-Histsex: Leon Antonio Rocha]
Zoe (2001) [IMDb][73] - [H-Histsex: Terrence Lockyer] (fleeting suggestion / assumption in single scene)
2002
Bend It Like Beckham (2002) [IMDb][74] (assumption about principal character)
Dalziel and Pascoe (season 7, episode 1): The Unwanted [TV] (2002) [IMDb][75] (significant character in episode)
Frida (2002) [IMDb][76] - [H-Histsex: Terrence Lockyer] (title character)
Hours, The (2002) [IMDb][77] - [H-Histsex: Terrence Lockyer] (principal characters, significant plot-elements)
Inspector Lynley Mysteries, The (season 1, episode 4): For the Sake of Elena [TV] (2002) [IMDb][78], based on novel by Elizabeth George (1992) (secondary characters and minor sub-plot in episode)
Jin nian xia tian [“Fish and Elephant”] (2002, China) [IMDb][79] - [H-Histsex: Leon Antonio Rocha]
Lan se da men [“Blue Gate Crossing”] (2002, Taiwan) [IMDb][80] - [H-Histsex: Leon Antonio Rocha]
Tipping the Velvet [TV] (2002) [IMDb][81], based on novel by Sarah Waters (1998) - [H-Histsex: Terrence Lockyer] (principal subject)
Waking the Dead (season 2, episodes 5 and 6): Special Relationship [TV] (2002) [IMDb - part 1][82] [IMDb - part 2][83] (secondary characters, significant sub-plot in episode)
2003
D. E. B. S. (2003/4) [IMDb 2003][84] [IMDb 2004][85] - [H-Histsex: Margaret Robinson]
Fei yue qin hai [“Love Me, If You Can”] (2003, Taiwan) [IMDb][86] - [H-Histsex: Leon Antonio Rocha]
Ho yuk [“Let's Love Hong Kong”] (2003, Hong Kong) [IMDb][87] - [H-Histsex: Leon Antonio Rocha]
Monster (2003) [IMDb][88] - [H-Histsex: Terrence Lockyer] (principal characters and plot-element)
Unexpected Love, An [TV] (2003) [IMDb][89] - [H-Histsex: Terrence Lockyer] (principal subject)
2004
Girlfriend (2004, India) [IMDb][90] [BBC report][91] - [H-Histsex: Leon Antonio Rocha] (Hindi-language; principal characters)
Hu die [“Butterfly”] (2004, Hong Kong) [IMDb][92] - [H-Histsex: Leon Antonio Rocha]
Inspector Lynley Mysteries, The (season 3, episode 4): If Wishes Were Horses [TV] (2004) [IMDb][93] (significant secondary character and plot-element in episode)
L Word, The [TV] (2004- ) [IMDb][94] (principal subject)
Marple: The Body in the Library [TV] (2004) [IMDb][95] - [H-Histsex: Terrence Lockyer] (significant characters, minor sub-plot in episode)
My Summer of Love (2004) [IMDb][96] - [H-Histsex: Terrence Lockyer] (principal characters and plot-element)
Saving Face (2004) [IMDb][97] - [H-Histsex: Margaret Robinson, Leon Antonio Rocha]
Sei mong se jun [“Abnormal Beauty”] (2004, Hong Kong) [IMDb][98] - [H-Histsex: Leon Antonio Rocha]
2005
Dalziel and Pascoe (season 9, episodes 5 and 6): The Dig [TV] (2005) [IMDb - part 1][99] [IMDb - part2][100] (significant characters and minor sub-plot in episode)
EastEnders [TV] (1985- ) [IMDb][101] (character of “Naomi” played by Petra Letang in 106 episodes, 2005-7[102], various plot-elements in daily serial with ensemble cast)
Fingersmith [TV] (2005) [IMDb][103], based on novel by Sarah Waters (2002) - [H-Histsex: Terrence Lockyer] (principal characters)
Ghost Squad, The (season 1, episode 4): Greater Good [TV] (2005) [IMDb][104] (principal character and plot-element in episode)
Imagine Me & You (2005) [IMDb][105] - [H-Histsex: Margaret Robinson] (principal characters, plot)
Joy of Life, The (2005) [IMDb][106] [Official site][107] - [H-Histsex: Trista Kendall]
Marple: A Murder Is Announced [TV] (2005) [IMDb][108] - [H-Histsex: Terrence Lockyer] (significant characters and plot-element in episode)
Pretty Persuasion (2005) [IMDb][109] (secondary character, plot-element)
V for Vendetta (2005) [IMDb][110] - [H-Histsex: Terrence Lockyer] (secondary characters)
Zui hao de shi guang [“Three Times”] (2005, Taiwan/France) [IMDb][111] - [H-Histsex: Leon Antonio Rocha]
2006
Fabulous! The Story of Queer Cinema [Documentary] (2006) [IMDb][112] - [H-Histsex: Donna Knaff, Svanur Pétursson, Margaret Robinson]
Les Filles du Botaniste (2006, French-Canadian production) [IMDb][113] - [H-Histsex: Leon Antonio Rocha]
Red Doors (2006) [IMDb][114] - [H-Histsex: Leon Antonio Rocha]
2007
Ci qing [“Spider Lilies”] (2007, Taiwan) [IMDb][115] [IHT article][116] - [H-Histsex: Leon Antonio Rocha]
Tears of the Goddess (2007, China) - [H-Histsex: Leon Antonio Rocha]
Piao lang qing chun [“Drifting Flowers”] (2007, Taiwan) [IMDb][117] - [H-Histsex: Leon Antonio Rocha]
2008
Hua chi liao na nu hai [“Candy Rain”] (2008, Taiwan) [IMDb][118] - [H-Histsex: Leon Antonio Rocha]
