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HOME » FILM & TV » INTERVIEWS
Jamie Babbit
04 October 2000
 
Director Jamie Babbit returned to the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival in 2000 a year after being triumphant and winning the C4TX award for her short film, ‘Sleeping Beauties’. Daniel Judd spoke to her about what the award meant and about ‘But I’m a Cheerleader’, which closed the festival.

What was it like to win the C4TX award?
It was a big compliment and I was excited. Truthfully, I still have not had the contracts with the BBC ironed out so the ‘prize’ of getting aired on Channel 4 hasn`t happened yet. Hopefully, two years later, it will come to pass.

Was it the success of ‘Sleeping Beauties’ that led you to direct this film?
I was very lucky, as is anyone I think who gets their first movie produced. Although ‘Sleeping Beauties’ helped to illustrate to the money people how the final product of ‘But I’m a Cheerleader’ might come out and gave me some credibility, mostly because the short had screened at Sundance, it certainly didn`t directly lead to getting the money for the film.

‘Sleeping Beauties’ did directly lead to Natasha Lyonne`s involvement, however. She saw the short and liked it so much she wanted to play the lead character of Megan in Cheerleader after coming off her success of ‘Slums of Beverley Hills’.

What attracted you to the project?
I was mostly drawn to the themes of gender roles, and how the archetypes of male and female play out in the queer community. Certainly at homosexual rehabs across this country, gender stereotypes and conforming to these is an important part of the gay to straight exodus movement. The themes of repression and the black comedy of it all also drew me to the material.


I talked with people whom had been through these reform groups. From Christians to Jews to Scientologists, I talked with different people about the institutions they attended. I also did a great deal of research on the internet at sites like exodus international and anything under the ex-gay movement or ex-ex-gay movement. There are so many testimonials out there that are simultaneously horrifying and funny. I also saw a documentary about the exodus founders who eventually got married, who inspired Larry and Lloyd in the film.

Did you go to any of the centres?
As a lesbian, I did not have the courage to go to one of these places. Perhaps it’s like a black person not wanting to attend a klan meeting. The more I learned about these groups, the more I just wanted to make fun of them and stay clear.

Have you ever yearned to be a cheerleader?
No, never. The film explores stereotypes and perhaps the biggest stereotype is that cheerleaders aren`t lesbians. The title of the film refers to Megan and her family not thinking she could be a lesbian because of her stereotypical femme role. In some ways, the film can also be seen through the guise of a ‘femme’ lesbian point of view. The film on some level explores femme lesbian desire and the ways in which Megan intersects her gay identity with her barbie doll existence.

What involvement did you have in the casting?
I had total control of casting and was able to hold auditions and make offers to actors I thought might be right for the film. I was only offering scale money to them so some passed because the money wasn`t great but most of the people who were my first choices signed on.

What was it like working with Ru Paul?

Originally I was a bit scared of him because he didn`t make eye contact with me at the audition and I was scared he might not be able to deal with the low-budget aspects of the film. But he was a dream. He was always prepared, pleasant, a bit shy, and full of talent. I would die to work with him again. He got to superstar status by being a hard worker, wonderful to work with, and of course his many talents. (He did his own make-up with his full Mac kit.)

Do you think it’s fair that the film has been compared to the films of John Waters and Tim Burton?
I am a fan of both directors but in no way meant to rip them off. I think it`s a fair assessment in terms of some of our aesthetic is similar. I love camp, love hyper real production design, love comedy about uncomfortable things. However, John Waters hates romantic comedies and I love fairytales and Barbie. So, in this way we are very different. I`m not a dark person and I`m also a woman so I think I`ve brought a different feminine sensibility to the camp aesthetic. People have criticised the film saying it doesn`t have the bite of John Waters, which is something I never wanted it to have. There are also emotional scenes in the film, which totally don`t come from a Waters’ world. I love both directors, and honestly am both flattered and disheartened to the comparison.

Are you pleased with the reaction to the film?
YES. Playing at the London festival as well as Sundance, Toronto and the others has been amazing. I`ve been able to make a living directing which has also been a direct result of the film. The audiences have been very generous as well.

It’s also terrifying putting yourself out there and I have gotten some good and some truly nasty reviews. So, all in all the reaction has been positive, but of course there have been some dark days.

Are working on something else?
Yes. My day job is directing/producing a show in the US called ‘Popular’ which I love.
I`m also developing my next script, a comedy about a feminist revolutionary.

What`s the future hold for you?
I hope to keep telling stories through shorts, features, TV, or otherwise.

Do you have any dreams left to fulfil?
Many. To keep working and exploring themes that I find interesting. Simple on one hand, but very difficult to stay focused and persistent. I hope to be a better filmmaker and perfect my voice and my craft. A lifetime goal.

Jamie Babbit thank you very much.
By: Daniel Judd
 
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