Dead Above Ground (2002)

People are so much deeper and far more extraordinary than what gender they were assigned at birth.

This list was made with the intention of celebrating the craft. I love seeing more women of colour on this list than before and more newcomers on the scene as well!

How powerful can a story be when it is stripped to the bare essentials of just a room, a handful of people and raw human voice?

Despite its glaring flaws, First Girl I Loved is not entirely undeserving of a watch. For people who can handle the more difficult aspects of the story and graphic scenes, it is worth looking into. It’s not a film worthy of rewatch, but it may still resonate somewhat with those who need a story like this. It is a genuine, if flimsy attempt at a coming-of-age tale. Were the film to be directed by someone with experiences more similar to Anne, it would likely be more powerful--as it is, it feels like a man’s perspective of what it means to come to terms with your identity as a lesbian. 

Anna May Wong was a talented actress and a fashion icon and still had to fight for everything she had due to hatred and racism.