Show older lesbian women on screen, urges film director Rachel Dax
‘Older women in general tend to be treated like they don’t have any sexuality,’ said the filmmaker
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Award-winning film director Rachel Dax has called for more older lesbian women to be shown on screen.
Dax directed the acclaimed short film Time & Again, which is about two lesbians in their eighties and stars Bafta-winning actor Dame Sian Phillips. It was partly inspired by elderly gay people concealing their sexuality to avoid prejudice in care homes.
“I think older women in general tend to be treated like they don’t have any sexuality,” Dax told the BBC. “I think it is important for lesbian visibility. Not all, but a lot of LGBT films with older characters are more male-focused.”
Phillips added: “They [older lesbians] are underrepresented but that didn’t occur to me when I read the script.”
Executive producer Leigh-Ann Regan also said: “Romantic stories about elderly people are not something we see a lot of, let alone romance between the ageing LGBT populations.
“And they exist in their thousands, if not millions. This needs to change and I hope this film will play a part in that happening.”
Time & Again, which also stars Brigit Forsyth, won the audience award for best short narrative film at the Outfest film festival in Los Angeles.
The film industry has previously been criticised for its focus on films that often involve the conversion of a younger, straight woman by an older gay woman, for example in 2015's Carol starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments