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Lavender Girls

Lavender Girls is a creative interpretation of lesbian representation in cinema. Focusing on sapphic presenting films made in the 21st century, artist Monica Mills discusses her personal journey and process of abstraction. By immortalising a variety of diverse Coming Out scenes with her paintings, not only are these moments celebrated, but they encourage bravery for future LGBTQIA+ generations. Each story is simultaneously unique and collective. Every queer person has their own coming out story, and each one is important, valid, and should be shared, until we are accepted as equal, and no longer have to come out. These abstract expositions blur the lines of convention - love should never be regulated, and only with more representation will we overcome these archaic attitudes.

  • Monica Mills
    Director
  • Monica Mills
    Writer
  • Joana Merlini
    Video Editor
  • Joana Merlini
    Videographer
  • Charles L'abri
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    11 minutes 38 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 5, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    100 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    Czech Republic
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Prague College University
Director Biography - Monica Mills

Director Monica Mills was born in Scotland, and spent nine years living in Zimbabwe as a child, she moved back to the UK when she was 11, and then I moved to New Zealand. She has lived in the Czech Republic and Macau in recent years as an artist, and when she started her MA in FA, she wasn't going to focus on a LGBTQ short documentary, as she focused more on other mediums like painting, but obviously when you do further study they want you to have a reason behind everything that you do, so the Lavender Girls came to life.

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Director Statement

Lavender Girls is a creative interpretation of lesbian representation in cinema. Focusing on sapphic presenting films made in the 21st century, artist Monica Mills discusses her personal journey and process of abstraction. By immortalising a variety of diverse Coming Out scenes with her paintings, not only are these moments celebrated, but they encourage bravery for future LGBTQIA+ generations. Each story is simultaneously unique and collective. Every queer person has their own coming out story, and each one is important, valid, and should be shared, until we are accepted as equal, and no longer have to come out. These abstract expositions blur the lines of convention - love should never be regulated, and only with more representation will we overcome these archaic attitudes.

The art industry has the potential to connect and inspire courage through creativity, in the same way that the entertainment industry has. Choosing to celebrate and represent every member of the LGBTQIA+ community, rather than relegating us to a category of our own, as if we aren’t a part of society, is an important part of political and social change. Until the educational systems across the globe actively and loudly include the queer community,
cinema is one of the safest learning spaces where we can feel supported, accepted and loved.