We’ve reviewed the South Korean psychological historical drama The Handmaiden here in Lesbian News, but if you’re still looking for some more international lesbian films, here are some that might interest you.
We love checking out these movies because we want to see how the lesbian perspective would be viewed from different countries.
(It’s also interesting that what could be the first movie about lesbians came from Germany, Madchen in Uniform.)
With that in mind, here are five movies from all over the world.
International lesbian films #1: The Journey (India)
Released in 2005, the Indian movie The Journey (or Sancharram) was written, directed, and produced by Ligy J. Pullappally.
This movie was inspired by a short film she created and based on a true story of lesbian love.
Starring Suhasini V. Nair, Shruiti Menon, and K.P.A.C. Lalitha, two young women– Kiran and Delilah– find love but are forced by culture and tradition to separate, one through an arranged marriage.
International lesbian films #2: My Friend From Faro (Germany)
Released in 2008, the German flick My Friend from Faro (or Mein Freund aus Faro), this movie written and directed by Nana Neul has drawn comparison to the Hillary Swank-starred Boys Don’t Cry.
Starring Anjorka Strechel and Lucie Hollman, this movie is about a tomboy named Mel who is obsessed with all things Portuguese.
When she accidentally meets (or almost runs over) a beautiful girl, Mel takes on the identity of a Portuguese guy named Miguel. As they say, hijinks ensue.
International lesbian films #3: My Mother Likes Women (Spain)
Released in 2002, the Spanish comedy My Mother Likes Women (or A Mi Madre Le Gustan Las Mujeres) is directed by:Daniela Féjerman and Inés París, as well as written by: Inés París, Daniela Féjerman.
As the title suggests, a long-divorced mother tells her three daughters that she’s fallen in love and she wants them to meet the person. Of course, the three daughters face a surprise when she introduces a woman.
This movie stars Leonor Watling, María Pujalte, and Silvia Abascal as the three daughters while Rosa María Sardá stars as the mother.
International lesbian films #4: Yes or No (Thailand)
Released in 2012, this Thai film Yes or No (or Yak Rak Ko Rak Loei) was written and directed by Sarasawadee Wongsompetch and starred Sucharat Manaying and Suppanad Jittaleela.
What could be defined as a rom-com leavened with the usual teenaged drama, two young girls– the masculine lesbian Kim and Pie– with different backgrounds but going to the same school get to know each other andfall in love.
International lesbian films #5: Circumstance (Iran)
Released in 2011, the drama Circumstance was written and directed by Maryam Keshavarz and starred Nikohl Boosheri and Sarah Kazemy.
Set in Tehran, two girls– Atafeh who comes from a rich, traditional family and the orphaned Shireen– fall in love.
However, the two face religious and familial obstruction, especially from Atafeh’s brother, a former drug addict-turned-religious addict.