Vogue: What sparked the idea for Sapph-O-Rama?
Andrea Torres:Emily and I have the great pleasure of working together at Film Forum.
She manages print traffic for the theater, and I lead publicity efforts for our programming.
Cheryl Dunye inThe Watermelon Woman, 1996.
Emily Greenberg:We were literally dumbfounded and ecstatic to discover it.
Its legacy was here, tucked away in a basement flat file.
So we said, Hey, this is due for a revival.
From left: Clara Bow inThe Wild Party(1929), Alla Nazimova inSalomé(1922), and Doris Day inCalamity Jane(1953)
The original series focused solely on lesbian cult films.
Can you describe the programming process?
Greenberg:Theres really a wide range of lesbian representations in the series.
Clockwise from top left: Erica Gavin, Cheryl “Rainbeaux” Smith, Ella Reid, Roberta Collins, and Juanita Brown, on the poster for Caged Heat (1974)
Sapph-O-Rama touches upon nearly every genre.
Early Hollywood films are more of a game of sapphic hide-and-seek, wading through stereotypes and subtext.
These films prey upon and mock the trope of the evil, even monstrous, lesbian character.
Danielle Ouimet and Delphine Seyrig on the poster forDaughters of Darkness(1971)
Greenberg:It was devastatingly difficult to whittle this down.
Id love to hear which movie each of you is most excited to screen and why.
Susannah York inThe Killing of Sister George
Torres:The Swedish filmFucking Amalis a perfect 90s teen movie.
Laurel Holloman and Nicole Parker inThe Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love(1995)
Torres:I completely agree.
So many of these films were foundational in guiding me through my own understanding of my queerness.
Do you feel positive about it, or is COVID still throwing a wrench into scheduling?
Natasha Lyonne and Clea DuVall inBut I’m a Cheerleader!(1999)
There is consistently incredible and innovative programming happening all around us.
I cant wait to see what the future holds.
Greenberg:Chantal Akerman.
Michelle Krusiec and Lynn Chen inSaving Face(2004)
Torres:Audre Lorde on my left.
Kristen Stewart on my right.
Im holding the popcorn.
Susannah York inThe Killing of Sister George
This conversation has been edited and condensed.
Greenberg (L) and Torres (R), photo by Susanna Chang
