Japanese American Women
Director Rosanna Yamagiwa Alfaro and Leita Hagermann
Year 1992
Subject Documentary
Language English
Running Time 27 minutes
Distributor Women Make Movies
Comments: The stereotype of the polite, docile, exotic Asian woman is shattered
in this documentary in which a dozen women speak about their experiences as
part of the “model minority”. Japanese American Women explores
the ambivalent feelings the women have both towards Japan and the United
States. The underlying theme is the burden of being different, of being brought
up “one of a kind” as opposed to growing up part of an ethnic community. An
uneasy feeling prevails of being neither Japanese nor American, and the
documentary ultimately becomes the story of Japanese American women and their
search for a sense of place.
Jeffrey
Director Christopher Ashley
Year 1995
Subject Feature (Comedy)
Screenplay Paul Rudnick
Artists Steven Weber Patrick Stewart Sigourney Weaver
Language English
Running Time 92 minutes
Distributor Orion Home Video
Comments
The film is about one man's desperate search for love and happiness in the 90s.
Jeffrey is a gay man so disheartened by the AIDS epidemic that he vows to give
up on love entirely. Unfortunately, its not so easy to turn off your heart,
especially when you've just met the man of your dreams. Truly an uproariously
funny and often touching film.
Jestem, Kim Jestem: I Am Who I Am
Year 1990
Subject Documentary
Language English Narration
Running Time 27 minutes
Distributor Polart
Comments The first movie on the issue of homosexuality in Poland.
Jodie: An Icon
Director Pratibha Parmar
Subject Documentary
Language English
Running Time 24 minutes
Distributor Women Make Movies
Comments
Jodie is a fast paced, breezy look at the transatlantic phenomenon that has
made Hollywood actress Jodie Foster an icon for lesbians who identify with,
adore and celebrate the screen personas of her remarkable career. Fans and
queer cultural critics share their favorite 'iconic' moments giving
illuminating lesbian readings of Foster's key films which trace the charismatic
actor's progression from early tomboy parts as a child star to mature
performances depicting active, strong willed women with attitude. Die hard
Foster fans like comedienne Lea de Laria's comment that "If I was Hannibal
Lecter, it wouldn't be her liver I'd want to eat," express the desire and lust
shared by Foster's lesbian fans around the world. The film captures the Jodie
Foster look alike contest in San Francisco and a visually slick montage of
views on Foster's butch femme indeterminacy all help to confirm Foster's status
as a dyke icon.
The Joy Luck Club
Director Wayne Wang
Subject feature
Screenplay Amy Tan, Ronald Bass
Language English
Running Time 139 minutes
DistributorHollywood Pictures
Comments
Produced by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Oliver Stone and based on the
powerful #1 best-selling book, The Joy Luck Club tells the uplifting story of
four remarkable friends whose extraordinary lives are filled with joy and
heartbreak. Their lifelong friendship reveals a mosaic of the startling events
and conditions that have shaped their lives - and how these experiences have
affected the hopes and dreams they hold for each of their children. Hailed as
one of the must-see films of the year, this exceptional motion picture is sure
to entertain and inspire you from beginning to end!
Juana: I, Worst of All
Director: Maria Luisa Bemberg
Year: 1990
Subject: Feature Film
Running Time: 107 minutes
Language: Spanish with English Subtitles
Distributor: First Run Features
Comments: Assumpta Serna stars as the brilliant and beautiful poet Sister
Juana Ines de la Cruz in this magnificent portrayal of 17th Century Mexico. In
order to pursue her love of writing, Juana enters the convent and gains
international renown. When the Inquisition comes, the local Vicereine
(Dominique Sanda) becomes Juana's protectress and erotic muse, and soon begins
a thrilling romance of startling passion and intensity.
Juggling Gender
Director Tami Gold
Year 1992
Running Time 27 minutes
Distributor Women Make Movies
Comments: A loving portrait of Jennifer Miller, a lesbian performer who lives
her life with a full beard. Miller works as a performance artist, circus
director , clown and as the "bearded lady" in one of the only remaining
sideshows in America. In public she is often mistaken for a man, an experience
she handles with the wit and intelligence that characterize her stage
performances. Her lifestyle suggests the impossibility of defining anyone as
truly feminine or masculine. "Juggling Gender" explores the fluidity of gender
and raises important questions about the construction of sexual and gender
identity.
Just Another Girl on the I.R.T.
Director Leslie Harris
Year 1993
Running Time 96 minutes
DistributorLIVE Home Video
Comments
Newcomer Ariyan Johnson delivers a critically acclaimed performance as a
spirited Brooklyn teenager coping with life in the projects, and sustained by
her fierce desire to go to college and become a doctor. Just Another Girl on
the I.R.T.-- the writing and directorial debut of up-and-coming black woman
filmmaker Leslie Harris -- is a sharp, sassy blend of comedy and drama in the
tradition of Spike Lee, that speaks with a fresh new voice all its own.
Just Black? Multi-Racial Identity
Year 1992
Subject Documentary
Running Time 57 minutes
DistributorFilmmaker's Library
Comments
Most of us at one time or other are faced with an official form requiring us to
"check" the applicable ethnic designation. What "box" does a person check if
his or her parents come from different racial backgrounds? In this provocative
documentary, we meet several articulate young men and women of mixed racial
heritage. Each has one black parent, and a white, Asian or Hispanic second
parent. They share with us their struggle to establish, acquire and assert a
racial identity. Their experiences lead one to question whether there is room
in America for multi-racial identity.
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