We need better representation of the LGBT community in TV and film — especially when it comes to lesbians. The women behind this month’s VOD and web series picks have taken things into their own hands and directed, written, and created stories focusing on the lives, loves, and drama of contemporary lesbian women.
Kate Lane directs “Fear of Water,” a film that places two young women together during a summer of self-discovery, family drama, and love. They learn things about themselves and take risks for something they don’t completely understand. Creators and writers Kallie Tenney and Sarah Soderquist continue this trend of self-discovery with a comedic twist in the web series “Gal Pals.” The chemistry and high jinks of the two female leads ground the show, while the setting and additional cast tell a tale of letting go and unearthing something new about ourselves.
We follow this comedy, “TWENTY,” starring, written, and directed by Lily Richards. While it shares some of the comedic elements of “Gal Pals,” this web series follows a young woman trying to break bad habits and find love at the same time. It plays as an honest and intimate look at the seldom-seen dating life of lesbian women.
Kirsten Strough rounds things off with web series “Animal Warmth.” Like all the stories above, it’s a story grounded in romance. The twist is that the one taking a chance on love is utterly afraid of human contact and the most awkward woman you’ve ever met.
Here are Women and Hollywood’s VOD and web series selections for September.
VOD
“Fear of Water” — Directed by Kate Lane
Kate Lane’s tells the story of a summer that changed everything for two young women from distinct socio-economic backgrounds. Alexia (Lily Loveless) is a bold, working class girl while Eleanor (Chloe Patridge) is naive and leads a sheltered life. As they grow closer during the summer they begin to lean on each other through their family dramas and experience a sexual awakening and profound happiness.
It’s a “portrait of self-discovery” for both women that feels real and easy to connect to. At the end of the day, no matter where we come from or what our background is, we just want to be happy and understood. Despite their upbringings, Alexia and Eleanor find that with each other in “Fear of Water.”
Rent or buy “Fear of Water” on Vimeo.
Web Series
“Gal Pals” — Created and Written by Kallie Tenney and Sarah Soderquist; Directed by Kallie Tenney
“Gal Pals” is a new comedy created and written by Kallie Tenney and Sarah Soderquist. Self-described as “‘The L Word’ for the ‘Broad City’ generation,” it tells the story of a self-destructive and proud lesbian named Bee (Katie Lynn Stoddard) and her roommate, Olivia (Skarlett Redd), a neurotic and honest woman who has no problem calling out Bee’s habit of catfishing straight women.
Right away, the most fascinating and fun part of this series is the chemistry between the two leads. Yes, there’s a new love interest named Dylan (Anna Wyatt) who starts a friendship with Bee and questions her sexuality. But the real heart of this series seems to be the best friends with their inside jokes and their constant quarreling. Love, friendship, and laughs — “Gal Pals” has it all!
You can watch the entire first season of “Gal Pals” on YouTube.
“TWENTY” — Written and Directed by Lily Richards
Lily Richards stars, writes, and directs the YouTube web series “TWENTY.” It follows the story of Maya, a young musician who throws herself into spur-of-the-moment romances left and right, while supporting a group of friends who “offer little in return.” And as she’s trying to break out of her bad habits, we see a young woman trying to understand herself and what she wants, in a world that has decided who she is already.
“TWENTY” isn’t afraid to show the weird, awkward, and funny sides of romance, while at the same time making its intimate scenes tender and familiar to anyone who’s felt a connection to their partner.
Check out new episodes of “TWENTY” every Monday and Wednesday on YouTube.
“Animal Warmth” — Co-Created by Kirsten Strough
Yesii Henriquez stars as Jenna, an awkward artist on the hunt for love and acceptance, in creators Kirsten Strough and Joshua Ray Malan’s “Animal Warmth.” Things would be easier for Jenna if she wasn’t deathly afraid of any human interaction or didn’t practically turn into a statue at the smallest sign of interest from another woman.
Despite her fears, Jenna continues to try her luck at love and ends up speaking to the shy girl in all of us who wants to take the risk, but is afraid of what love and dating really entails.
You can watch “Animal Warmth” on YouTube.
