I was at the ole' Blockbuster last night, and I stumbled upon a movie called "Shelter Me." Once I saw that Maria de Medeiros was in it, I read the synopsis: "Lesbian couple Anna (de Medeiros) and Mara (Antonia Liskova) return from a holiday abroad, and realize that a young Moroccan immigrant has managed to hide in ther car in order to cross the border to Italy. They decide to take him in, leading to unexpected consequences for their family."

I LOVED this film. Maria de Medeiros (Henry and June, Pulp Fiction) is absolutely fantastic. Her performance mesmerized me, as she normally does.  She can convery so much with her wonderfully owlish eyes.  There's also something about her that I find oddly erotic--I can't put my finger on it, as I don't find her necessarily "beautiful." The other chracters are fantastic as well, her lover (Liskova), and the boy from Morocco, Anis (Mounir Quadi). I can't say too much about the film without giving it away, but the arrival of this young man is a turning point in the relationship of the women. Also, I loved how their relationship was casually introduced, and that it wasn't the focal point of the film. The female leads have great chemistry as well. This film is multi-layered--Mara is NOT happy about Anna's willingness to trust Anis so easily, Anna is dealing with introducing Mara to her mother as her lover (Mara works for Anna's mom in a shoe factory, and although the mom knows what's up, she can't come to terms with it), Anna's brother decides to hire Anis with some coaxing from her, and Mara is dealing with her father who is terminally ill.

I just can't say enough about this Italian film (from 2007). One of the best lesbian-themed films I've seen in a while. There's not much on the "skin factor," but there are a few tender and passionate kisses and embraces btwn de Medeiros and Liskova.

I'm anxious to know if anyone else here has seen this wonderful film and what you thought of it?