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Lesbian Cinema

While gay films become more and more visible at the multiplex, lesbian films remain harder to see.

But things are improving, especially following the Palme d’Or triumph of Blue is the Warmest Colour (2013) at Cannes. This collection cherry-picks some of the most interesting lesbian films of recent years, many of which have been shown at the annual BFI Flare: London LGBT Film Festival. The diversity of sapphic cinema is represented through British shorts backed by the BFI Production Board, including The Chocolate Acrobat (1995) and the saucy Rosebud (1991), documentaries including A Bit of Scarlet (on the history of British queer cinema) and Hit So Hard (about Hole drummer Patty Schemel) and terrific features such as The Fish Child (2009) and Swedish favourite Kiss Me (2011).

Circumstance Circumstance

Drama 2011 106 mins Director: Maryam Keshavarz

A wealthy Iranian family struggles to contain a teenager's growing sexual rebellion and her brother's dangerous obsession.

Rent for £2.50

Hit So Hard Hit So Hard

Documentary 2011 103 mins Director: P. David Ebersole

Patty Schemel, one-time drummer of grunge band Hole, recounts her turbulent years on tour with the band, piecing together a compelling tale of rock and roll excess, and the personal story of one woman’s survival.