Femspectives — A–Z of films

Itself an important contribution to lesbian history, the film uses photographs and snippets of archive material to bring viewers closer to the human stories that came close to being lost.

This is a community that, one suspects, director Alison Piper understands well.

Uses sharp observation and economy of dialogue to set a scene.

The very intimate, personal nature of this film imbues with authority and sensitivity.

The frankness of these stories means that many viewers will find something they can relate to.

This is very much fly-on-the-wall documentary, with explanations and expiation left up to those involved.

This is a sweet little film about the dangers of caring too much.

There is a level on which the educational aspect of this film becomes very direct, as, for instance, participants discuss the best ways to handle arrest and techniques for throwing interrogators off the scent.

The great thing about it is the sense and maturity that they bring to difficult debates.

Hubbard makes a strong case for a political view being appropriate.

In one remarkably intimate scene we watch a woman saying goodbye to a sleeping child so tiny that he won’t really understand what has happened when he wakes up and Mummy isn’t there.

The first thing that stands out about the film is the ease with which we can recognise Vai despite her being played by a different actress each time.