Mateship, as we all know by now, is a uniquely Australian concept featuring two men (or, occasionally, women) in a very intimate but non-sexual relationship. But what about those who feature a relationship that is both initimate and sexual?

I speak, of course, of the GLBT film. These apparently have a long tradition in our Antipodean friends, though they are often unknown on our shores.

The Adventure of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, which does enjoy quite the cult following in America. It tells the tale of three drag performers, one transsexual and two gay (though one was previously married to a woman). The film is largely a comedy, but it also deals with themes of abuse that many gay individuals face. Their bus is defaced with anti-AIDS slurs,and Guy Pearce's character is attacked for flirting with men in a rural Outback town. Still, the gay heroes are embraced at the end, and are allowed to be who they are, relationships and all.

The same year, 1994, also gave audiences The Sum of Us, which is notable for containing a performance by notorious he-man Russell Crowe as a sensitive gay man. The film features a young man and his widowed father, both looking for love, the only difference being that the son is gay. Homosexuality isn't treated as a great tragedy as it is in many American films. I have not yet seen this, though it has been my intent to do so for quite some time. A review can be found here.


While gay men seem to get fair, even-handed portrayals throughout this area in film, lesbians seem to be laregly ignored. One exception is Heavenly Creatures, made in neighboring New Zealand. Pauline and Juliet's relationship is not only romantic, but obsessive and insular. The girls refuse to be parted. The film is thought to be quite accurate, based on the accounts of Pauline's diary. However, there are those who take issue with the idea of lesbianism equating murder. (I personally do not think that should apply in this case, since it is a true story.)

Further searching really didn't turn up much else in the realm of lesbian film. I'm sure there's SOMETHING, but perhaps just nothing of note. But why? In a country so long dominated my extremely masculine ideals, one would think that fair portrayals of gay man would be seen as somehow threatening. On the other hand, a focus on masculinity may cause a general disinterest in films featuring women. Whatever the case, there's certainly room for change.