A new animated film about a lesbian space princess has got its first trailer, and it might be the “queer as f**k” thing we need right now.
Lesbian Space Princess comes from the minds of the South Australian writer-director couple (and actual couple) Emma Hough Hobbs and Leela Varghese. The film premiered earlier this year at the Berlin International Film Festival where it picked up the Teddy Award. It has since played at other festivals before getting a theatrical release down under.
The film follows Saira (Shabana Azeez) a space princess, who is happily set up on her home planet of Clitopolis (yes, really) with her girlfriend, Kiki (Bernie Van Tiel). “I didn’t exactly have girls knocking down my door before you did,” says Saira who adds, “You are my everything.”
She’s then promptly dumped with Kiki explaining, “I thought dating a space princess would be more fun.” Cue Saira going into a complete meltdown and bawling her eyes out – relatable!
Kiki is then abducted by the ‘Straight White Maliens’, depicted as literal straight white beings. As the Maliens cry “Kill the lesbian,” in comments that don’t recall actual real world attitudes at all, Kiki begs Saira to come save her.
Taking off in the Problematic Ship (Richard Roxburgh) Saira is joined by non-binary musician, Willow (Gemma Chua Tran) in her quest which comes compete with hijinks, romance, and phallic shaped enemies.
Reuben Kaye, Madeleine Sami, Kween Kong, and Jordan Raskopolous also feature in the queer sci-fi comedy.
“We put so much of ourselves into the film and it’s a beautiful combination of us, our anxieties, insecurities and struggles with getting girls,” Varghese has said as reported by QNews. “We hope that queer people and people of colour [watching the film] feel seen. For 86 minutes, you rule the gaylaxy.”
The film has been well received so far, having played at multiple film festivals around the world since February.
In its review, Variety called the film as “idiosyncratic and intermittently amusing,” praising the relationship between Saira and Problematic Ship, which spouts misogynistic lines before developing and growing as a “person” as a result of spending time with the princess.
The entertainment industry bible also applauded the film for the “richness to the worldbuilding.” It also noted the film’s broader animation influences from Rick and Morty and Steven Universe, to Sailor Moon.
Screen Daily meanwhile called Lesbian Space Princess “a colourful and life-affirming crowdpleaser.” IndieWire had good things to say about the film’s attention to detail but called the messaging “clunky.”
The Hollywood Reporter called the “gooey gay adventure” film “a hidden gem” of the Berlin International Film Festival. On Letterboxd one viewer called the film “the best thing I’ve ever seen.” And another said, “this was so funny and stupid i was laughing.” Lesbian Space Princess is also rocking at 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based off 13 reviews.
Lesbian Space Princess is in Australian cinemas on 11 September.
