Pioneering lesbian filmmaker, former San Franciscan, and Frameline Award winner Barbara Hammer takes center stage in Brydie O’Connor’s Teddy Award-winning debut feature. When Hammer came out as a lesbian in the ‘70s she “took off on a motorcycle with a super-8 camera,” leading to groundbreaking queer and experimental works like Dyketactics (1974) — one of the first-ever lesbian films — and, later, her celebrated first feature, Nitrate Kisses (1992).

Throughout her monumental career, Hammer made over 90 moving-image works that often centered on her own life, body, and lovers — a monumental decision when such life-affirming, honest depictions of sapphic people were scarce. Bolstered by exquisitely edited archival footage, this beautifully intimate documentary assembles an equally lyrical portrait of the visual poet, illuminating how Hammer’s legacy continues to inspire artists and preserve our shared histories. At the same time, it never loses sight of the ambitious, funny, bold, and joyful woman at its center. 

Special thanks to our Adopt-A-Film donors: East Bay Spring Fling Fundraiser (participants’ names can be found at the link)!

Catch a special encore screening featuring a Q&A with director Brydie O’Connor at the Roxie Theater on Sunday, June 28. (Note: All ticketing for this screening will be handled by the Roxie; please visit the theater’s film listing to learn more.)

Showing June 25 8:45 PM at the Castro Theater