''Dykes, Camera, Action!'' is a 2018 American

documentary film A documentary film (often described simply as a documentary) is a nonfiction Film, motion picture intended to "document reality, primarily for instruction, education or maintaining a Recorded history, historical record". The American author and ...

about the history of lesbian and queer cinema from the women who made it happen. The documentary is the first feature-length film of New York City based director and editor, Caroline Berler.

Synopsis

The film is the exploration of lesbian cinema from the 1970s to now. Filmmakers

Barbara Hammer Barbara Jean Hammer (May 15, 1939 – March 16, 2019) was an American feminist film director, producer, writer, and cinematographer. She is known for being one of the pioneers of the lesbian film genre, and her career spanned over 50 years. Ham ...

Su Friedrich Su Friedrich (born December 12, 1954) is an American avant-garde film director, producer, writer, and cinematographer. She has been a leading figure in avant-garde filmmaking and a pivotal force in the establishment of Queer Cinema. Early lif ...

Rose Troche Rose Troche (; ; born 1964) is an American film and television director, television producer, and screenwriter. Early life and education Troche was born to Puerto Rican parents and grew up on the north side of Chicago. In an interview she stated ...

Cheryl Dunye Cheryl Dunye (; born May 13, 1966) is a Liberian-American film director, producer, screenwriter, editor and actress. Dunye's work often concerns themes of race, sexuality, and gender, particularly issues relating to black lesbians. She is known ...

, Yoruba Richen,

Desiree Akhavan Desiree Akhavan (, born December 27, 1984) is an American filmmaker, writer, and actress. She is best known for her 2014 feature film debut '' Appropriate Behavior'', and her 2018 film ''The Miseducation of Cameron Post''. She appeared in the f ...

Vicky Du Vicky, Vick, Vickie or Vicki is a feminine given name, often a hypocorism of Victoria. The feminine name Vicky in Greece comes from the name Vasiliki. Notable people with the name * Family nickname of Victoria, Princess Royal (1840–1901 ...

, film critic B. Ruby Rich,

Jenni Olson Jenni Olson (born October 6, 1962) is a writer, archivist, historian, consultant, and non-fiction filmmaker based in Berkeley, California. She co-founded the pioneering LGBT website PlanetOut.com. Her two feature-length essay films — ''The Joy ...

, and others share from their lives and discuss how they've expressed lesbian and queer identity through film. Cast reflects on and gives tribute to many influential films and television series: * '' Appropriate Behavior'' (2014) * '' Carol'' (2015) * ''

Before Stonewall ''Before Stonewall: The Making of a Gay and Lesbian Community '' is a 1984 American documentary film about the LGBT community prior to the 1969 Stonewall riots. It was narrated by author Rita Mae Brown, directed by Greta Schiller, co-directed b ...

'' (1984) * ''

Bound Bound or bounds may refer to: Mathematics * Bound variable * Upper and lower bounds, observed limits of mathematical functions Physics * Bound state, a particle that has a tendency to remain localized in one or more regions of space Geography * ...

'' (1996) * ''

But I'm a Cheerleader ''But I'm a Cheerleader'' is a 1999 American Satire (film and television), satirical Teen film, teen romantic comedy film directed by Jamie Babbit in her feature directorial debut and written by Brian Wayne Peterson. Natasha Lyonne stars as Mega ...

'' (1999) * '' The Celluloid Closet'' (1995) * ''

Desert Hearts ''Desert Hearts'' is a 1985 American romantic drama film directed by Donna Deitch. The screenplay, written by Natalie Cooper, is an adaptation of the 1964 lesbian novel '' Desert of the Heart'' by Jane Rule. Set in Reno, Nevada in 1959, it ...

'' (1985) * ''

This Film Is Not Yet Rated ''This Film Is Not Yet Rated'' is a 2006 American documentary film about the Motion Picture Association of America's rating system and its effect on American culture, directed by Kirby Dick and produced by Eddie Schmidt. It premiered at the ...

'' (2006) * ''

Go Fish Go Fish or Fish is a card game for approximately two to five players, often played by children. It might be similar to a game called ''Andare e piscere'' which was current in Italy at the end of the 15th Century, of which no contemporary descrip ...

'' (1994) * ''

High Art In a society, high culture encompasses cultural objects of aesthetic value that a society collectively esteems as exemplary works of art, as well as the literature, music, history, and philosophy a society considers representative of its cultur ...

'' (1998) * ''

The Joy of Life ''The Joy of Life'' is a 2005 experimental landscape documentary film by filmmaker Jenni Olson about the history of suicides at the Golden Gate Bridge, suicide at the Golden Gate Bridge, and the adventures of a butch lesbian in San Francisco, ...

'' (2005) * ''

The L Word ''The L Word'' is a television drama series that aired on Showtime in the United States from 2004 to 2009. The series follows the lives of a group of lesbian and bisexual women who live in West Hollywood, California. The premise originated wit ...

'' television series (2004–2009) * ''

The Watermelon Woman ''The Watermelon Woman'' is a 1996 American romantic comedy-drama film written, directed, and edited by Cheryl Dunye. The first feature film directed by a Black lesbian, it stars Dunye as Cheryl, a young Black lesbian working a day job in a vide ...

'' (1996)

Accolades

Caroline Berler received the

Outfest Outfest is an LGBTQ-oriented nonprofit that produces two film festivals, operates a movie streaming platform, and runs educational services for filmmakers in Los Angeles. Outfest is one of the key partners, alongside the Frameline Film Festival ...

2018 Programming Award for Emerging Talent.

References

External links

* {{Official website, www.dykescameraaction.com 2018 films 2018 documentary films 2018 LGBTQ-related films Documentary films about lesbians 2010s English-language films 2010s American films American LGBTQ-related documentary films English-language documentary films