All About E

I happened to catch this film at San Francisco's Frameline Film Festival last summer. I realize it is a lesbian written and produced work, but it does not need any sexually parochial designation to make it a worthwhile film. Rather, it is a fast-paced, compelling, engrossing, thrill ride of a movie, a ripping good yarn, which includes gay main characters in its fine tuned ensemble cast. The cinematography was languorous and luscious, somehow conveying an almost palpable sense of dust and heat and grit of rural Australia. I know I am a Yank, and this is an Aussie film; but why haven't encountered these brilliant actors before? I was particularly impressed by Brett Rogers' performance as E's fubsy best friend. It was subtle, complex, nuanced, and poignant, and was well matched by Mandahla Rose and Julia Billington as the lesbian protagonists. Even the dog was brilliant. For me, it was a "must see" film, so much so that I had to go see it again when it turned up in the Palm Springs Cinema Diverse. If you get a chance to catch this film, don't miss it.

All about E does many things that other movies don't... It makes you laugh. It has sumptuously gorgeous cinematography making the most of the beautifully rich and authentic Australian country setting. The characters have some depth to them and represent multi-racial Australia. The script is great keeping the movie rolling along at a thunderous pace. The performances make you connect with the characters and draw you into the story. There is one of the best sex scenes ever. This movie really shows a glimpse of our lesbian lives. Don't miss it. I saw this movie twice and the audience loved it on both occasions with rounds of heartfelt applause. Both times I saw it was in very mixed cinema audiences - it appeals equally to gay and straight viewers.

Having seen the hype for this film on many lesbian blogs, I was eager to see what All About E had to offer the 2015' queer cinema lineup. I was pleasantly surprised! As I read on 'Afterellen,' "it's the road movie you never knew you wanted!".

All About E avoids the tragic clichés of lesbians depicted on screen that we see time and time again. It joins the new wave of independent and mainstream cinema giving gay women what we want to see on screen, but manages to do so with half the budget of partner films.

The directorial debut of Louis Wadley, All About E, appeals to a wide audience, with a plot that ticks over nicely, believable performances, cinematography that uniquely frames the Australian outback, some drama and laughs and a refreshingly realistic love scene.

It's an independent Aussie film that carves out a nice little niche for itself.. All About E sets out to set our hearts aflutter and asks you to come along for the ride.

Loved seeing the film - in fact, so much so, I've watched it three times. The whole cast is great, but the three leads are particularly good, including newcomer Mandahla Rose who is especially terrific in her role as a somewhat conflicted musician-turned-DJ on the run from her boss with a stash of cash. She's tough but tender and like all the women in the film, strong and determined. Loved the Lebanese back story (the scene with E's mother really resonated) along with the original soundtrack music.

The characters are multidimensional rather than the usual clichés we often see in Australian films - especially ones with LGBTQI characters or ones with outback settings. Even the two drag queens and E's best friend didn't conform to the stereotypes we are so often presented with of bitchy gay men. Totally refreshing! Culturally it's also diverse and beautifully filmed in places - the farm scenes especially bring the landscape alive.

The beauty of Australia, and of a true love, I thought beautifully filmed. And a good story. I liked it.