Saturday, May 5, 2007
Philadelphia, PA
Loews Hotel

By Jacky

Four of us from the two sites had the pleasure of chatting with Diane and Erin over breakfast and then beyond, as we explored the whys and what ifs of Loving Annabelle and chatted about what’s next for both of them. Representing the sites: Jacky, her partner Kathy, Jo (Jobadge), and her partner, Jill (beaker). Jill and Jobadge were the photographers for the interview.

myFandoms: For both-- How did you “prepare” for LA? Did you talk to lesbian friends? Have you seen any other lesbian movies like Desert Hearts, The Incredibly True Story of Two Girls in Love, etc.?

Diane: I didn’t have time to prepare! I got the job just days before filming. I just had to jump into it.

Erin: The only movie that Katherine asked I watch was Mulholland Drive and she wanted me to do so because of the sex scene. A big issue for Kat in lesbian film is that the sex scenes are never satisfying or realistic; it was important to her for us to accomplish this. As for me 'becoming' a lesbian, Kat worked very hard on that. She taught me how to sit, how to walk, and how to undo a bra with one hand... no, I know what you’re thinking, we did not do this on each other.

myFandoms: For both-- There have been sooooo few really GOOD lesbian movies. Loving Annabelle is one of a handful, at most. I think this is why there has been such a reaction to the movie—and to you two. To the lesbian community, it’s not “just another movie”, but you’ve become heroes, of sorts, especially since you’re both straight, for taking on these roles, and giving us one of the very few films that we have for ourselves. The effect, though, is that this makes you a “lesbian icon.” How do you feel about that? Did you expect it to have such an impact?

Diane: This is a complicated question and one I've had difficulty understanding and answering. But I'll give it another shot. I don't see a difference between "straight" people and "gay" people. These are labels that are imposed upon us and I feel that they are polarizing and limiting and diversionary. We are not defined by who we sleep with and in my opinion, it's really nobody's business. I don't understand our culture's fixation with all of this. And I cannot fathom how any spiritual/religious belief can judge anyone as wrong for loving anyone.

One of the reasons that I co-founded Filmmakers Alliance is because I feel that the main stream media has only reflected a very narrow sliver of the human experience. It used to be prohibitively expensive for an individual to make and distribute films. But that's not the case any more. Almost anyone can pick up a camera and express themselves and their ideas now. My hope and dream is that the dominant white straight male agenda/perspective which we have been force-fed and have internalized and accepted as "reality" will be relegated to one of many possible perspectives and experiences. I think that Loving Annabelle is a beautiful film and I am very proud to have been a part of it. And if this film touches anyone's heart or helps anyone to feel validated or empowered, I couldn't be happier or more honored.)

Erin: I was certainly not expecting to become a lesbian icon. It has affected me though in a surprising way. A lot of the response I am getting is from young women who finally feel comfortable coming out as a lesbian. The stories that these women have shared with me have been both touching and inspiring. I am in the middle of creating a website that will be hot linked into my website for young lesbians to come, meet other lesbians, and ask questions both publicly and anonymously that will be posted and answered by a licensed therapist. For more info on that you can check in on my website in a few weeks - erinrosekelly.com

myFandoms: For Diane-- What do you think Simone is fighting the most within herself - her religion, her sexuality, the student/teacher aspect, or the letting go of Amanda?

Diane: (After much thinking)…All of it. I mean the student/teacher issue is clear. All of the other stuff inside of her—the judgments…and with Amanda she just took a part of herself and put it in a closet and put it away and shut herself down. But she’s not ok—she’s not comfortable. She’s confused and can’t accept herself.

Diane: (After another pause)...I didn’t have any time (Diane was hired just days before filming began). But in the two years since, these are things I’ve made up in my head to make sense of where Simone is at and where she’s coming from.

myFandoms: That’s fan fiction. Just not in print!

<move to lounge area>

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