Interview with Michelle Ehlen

AE: So, on a slightly more serious note, I’m wondering what your take is on the differences in the ways in which butch lesbians and femme lesbians are presented in film and other media.
ME: Well, butch lesbians, even in lesbian films, are more rare. And even if they’re supposed to be butch, they’re generally very “soft” and feminine.  

I think butch lesbians will become more “in the mix.” I think right now, it’s just new and I think people are a little scared of it. [They’re scared] that others won’t be able to identify with [a show or film] because of it, or that people think that butch lesbians are ugly or unattractive, and [audiences] just want to see femme lesbians, or whatever. So, definitely, I think it’s skewed toward the femme lesbians in representation and such.

AE: Do you think there’s a difference in the ways a lesbian audience perceives butch versus femme lesbians, say, at a queer film festival, where audience reactions are obvious?
ME: Well, I think because things are the way that they are, I think that audiences really appreciate butch characters — because we don’t see very many of them. In terms of lesbians, there are a percentage of lesbians that are butch, and then there’s another large percentage of lesbians who are attracted to butch lesbians. Overall, there are a large percentage of lesbians who have some interest in seeing butch women onscreen.  

AE: In uncertain economic times, do you think queer films will be more important to queer audiences, as opposed to times of relative stability?
ME: I suppose so. I never thought of it that way, but I could see it that way in terms of people not participating in queer culture as much — just for money reasons, not being out there and connected as much. Films might be a way to do that. I have heard — and I don’t know how this will impact queer films — but, I have heard that in times of economic depression, that … as a general rule, people will always spend money on entertainment. It’s true, people want an escape. If life’s crappy, they’re still going to pay money to see a movie or whatever.  

Overall, I have to say probably yes, because seeing a movie is obviously not an expensive thing to do, and if people aren’t able to travel and do other things to feel connected with the community, if they live out in the boonies, outside somewhere, and they can’t go to a big city or something like that, then it’s a good way to still be a part of what’s going on.

AE: So, what’s next for you — you mentioned that you’re working on a script?
ME: Yeah, I’m writing a script right now, Heterosexual Jill, which is kind of like a sequel/spinoff/follow-up to Butch Jamie, with Jill dealing with her ex-lesbianism, in a romantic comedy. Butch Jamie is kind of a satire on gender, and I see Heterosexual Jill as a satire on sexuality as a whole. I’m writing it now. It hasn’t been as quick as a process as I would’ve liked, but I’m hoping to finish up in the next few months, and hopefully, if all goes well, find money [to produce the film] next year.

Butch Jamie comes out on DVD on Nov. 18, 2008. For more on the film and Michelle, check out butchjamiel.com.