Global Perspectives

In depth Interviews from around the world

Emily, England 

Francesca, Italy

Leonardo, Italy

Lisa, Italy

Michela, Italy

Film Recommendations from over the globe:

Gathered from BOSSY Queer; a Facebook group for ‘queer’ female identifying peoples working/ interested in the creative arts

  • The Secret Garden. – “The 1993 version. Mary was difficult and didn’t smile but still full of joy at the garden.”
  • Spork – “it’s an interesting and kind of rare look at intersex girlhood – as well as American working class and black girlhood. It has kind of Juno vibes.”
  • Mustang – ” I love for its depiction of sisterhood and female-bonded relationships. Also how heterosexual norms limit girls from fulfilling exploration of their personhood. It’s also Turkish so good to get a different view than the UK, and warning, you will cry!”
  • Lost and Delirious – ” a tough watch (v sad) but really resonated with me growing up and coming to terms with being gay” 
  • Matilda – “obvs. v western, but its the archetypal girlhood film as far as I’m concerned”
  • Tomboy – “It’s not made clear whether the main character is a very gender non-conforming girl or a trans boy, but it’s a really interesting exploration of ambiguity and childhood and would definitely be worth a watch”
  • Any of Deepha Mehta films (Fire; Water; Earth) – ” look at women in Indian society in certain situations (before/after marriage, and fire is a lesbian film) rly good”

Gathered from BOSSY; a Facebook group for women-identifying peoples working/ interested in the creative arts

  • Naissance Des Pieuvres by Céline Sciamma
  • Cracks (2009) – “classic English girls boarding school with added queer content! V relatable for all the crushes I had on teachers as a baby gay”
  • Show me Love by Lukas Moodyson – “joyous little Swedish lesbian love story”
  • Lilya 4ever by Lukas Moodyson – “much darker film of his, which deals with abandonment and sex trafficking” 
  • Thirteen by Catherine Hardwicke

Gathered from University College Maastricht forum; a Facebook group for students from a liberal arts university in the Netherlands

  • Pippi Longstockings – “was a huge part of my childhood (I saw the filmed series in German)”
  • Chihiro
  • Nausicaa
  • Totoro

Gathered from cinema-goers at Exeter Picturehouse’s showing of ‘Booksmart’

  • Dirty Dancing
  • Ladybird, Ladybird (1994)
  • Mulan
  • Legally Blonde
  • Heathers