In “Lesbophilia,” playing this month at HollyShorts Film Festival, Eliana (Maya Nalli) yearns for one last sinfully-tempting, wild fling with her egocentric but well-endowed ex-flame Garrett (Jesse Conrad). This might sound like an entirely normal and human desire. However, Garrett is dead… and this sexual fantasy only rears its head during his wake. Eliana’s sexual needs, coupled with the emotional needs of her current beau Chase—who is also attending the wake as her plus-one—leads to an entanglement between the couple and the corpse. And while Chase (Vico Ortiz) is nice and understanding towards her bisexual partner, this impromptu development further raises important questions. Will she to go to any extent possible in order to accommodate this extremely problematic idea for the woman she loves? Or will this romance see itself to an early grave?
As the title and summary suggest, “Lesbophilia” is as ribald as it is lesbophilic. Its aesthetics—such as a funeral home drenched in bisexual lighting (purple and blue hues)—match those of a more sapphic version of the waiting room from “Beetlejuice.” And its morbid concept presented in a comical tone feel oddly reminiscent of dark comedies such as “Ed and his Dead Mother” or “Weekend at Bernie’s.” Yet Tennessee Martin’s screenplay also deconstructs the tropes from the aforementioned flicks, and boasts of a depth and complexity. And with Michelle West directing, it veers off into a more mature course instead of the usual approach of playing off an unusual and uncomfortable situation for laughs.
Characters Conveying Deep-Seated Needs
Instances that reflect this include a flashback to a moment by the pool with Garrett giving Eliana the cold shoulder while alive, which later mirrors Eliana giving her current partner the same as they stand beside Garett’s casket. The characters and their actions (regardless of how bizarre or even superficial they may seem upon first viewing) act as vessels to convey themes of deep-seethed insecurities and the need for validation. Eliana’s convoluted thought process signifies an unhealthy coping mechanism when grappling with grief. It leads her to muddy the lines between love and lust. However, the film’s themes also serve as subtle indication towards the layered workings of sexual fluidity. It comments on the erratic, altogether curious nature of the ‘bi-cycle’ (i.e. the natural ebb and flow of attraction to different sexes a bisexual individual may experience).
On the other hand, Chase too is wrecked by yearning. And in keeping with the backdrop of death, she’s flooded by the overwhelming thought of dying alone. Her happy-go-lucky façade is portrayed as a cover-up to a sense of incompleteness and guilt she carries due to past, failed relationships. She’s always found herself on the receiving end of partners who chose or preferred the opposite sex over her. It probably also feels like a gut punch that this time her rival is a literal corpse! However, hiding one’s affections, in the long run, can take a toll on one’s mental health. This is particularly true of Chase’s self-image and confidence in shooting straight with her girlfriend who still has the hots for the ex. “Lesbophilia” shines in that it doesn’t shy from showcasing the flawed yet relatable aspects of both its romantic leads, and on how effort from both parties can aid in navigating a complicated, rocky maze of emotions.
Ortiz and Nalli Turn in Charming Performances
Maya Nalli and Vico Ortiz in a scene from “Lesbophilia.” (Photo: HollyShorts Film Fest).
Known for their breakout role as the tenacious pirate Jim Jimenez in the acclaimed queer-centric series “Our Flag Means Death,” Vico Ortiz turns in a charming and sincere and grounded performance as the puppy-eyed Chase. Ortiz executes the exaggerated comedic scenes with aplomb, while also ensuring there is ample space for the audience to sympathize with their character during emotionally intense scenes. Maya Nalli strikes a fine balance between the volatility and scarily chipper energy of Eliana, while Lana Parrilla is magnetic in a pivotal cameo as the enigmatic, goth proprietress of Miss Madam’s Funeral Parlour.
Overall, “Lesbophilia” is a unique addition to the genre of campy LGBTQIA+ themed outings. It certainly helps that it’s not only funny, charming, and has just the right dash of morbidity with its heart in the right place. But, under it all, it also opens up a rare, nuanced discourse on bisexuality without shaming individuals for their sexual preferences either.
“Lesbophilia” will be playing at this year’s HollyShorts Film Festival from August 8th-18th. Follow The Movie Buff for more coverage of this year’s festival.
