APRIL’S final week has always been dedicated to honoring the sapphics, recognizing and celebrating the lesbian community, and promoting greater understanding, respect, and inclusion for all individuals regardless of their sexual orientation.

Lesbian Visibility Week is an annual observance that takes place from April 24 to 30 to recognize and celebrate the contributions of lesbian individuals to society and to bring attention to the challenges and discrimination they face on a daily basis. 

It also aims to foster a more inclusive society. 

This event was first celebrated on April 26, 2008. Since then, it has grown to become an international event with various activities, including marches, rallies, and social media campaigns to promote lesbian visibility and empowerment.

To commemorate the outstanding feats of the women-loving-women (WLW) community, here are five sapphic films to watch during Lesbian Visibility Week.

The Handmaiden (2016)

The Handmaiden is a 2016 South Korean erotic psychological thriller directed by Park Chan-wook.

Based on the Sarah Waters novel Fingersmith, the movie tells the story of a Korean woman named Sook-hee who becomes the handmaiden of a Japanese heiress named Lady Hideko.

But little do they know that Sook-hee intends to help a conman known as Count Fujiwara seduce and swindle Lady Hideko out of her inheritance.

However, as Sook-hee becomes closer to Lady Hideko, she starts to have romantic feelings for her and realizes that there is more to their relationship than just the con. 

The movie is known for its intricate plot, stunning cinematography, and excellent performances from its cast, particularly Kim Tae-ri as Sook-hee and Kim Min-hee as Lady Hideko.

The movie explores themes of deception, eroticism, and power dynamics, and has been praised for its stunning visuals and gripping storyline. 

It has won numerous awards, including the Best Foreign Language Film at the BAFTA Awards and the Sydney Film Festival, and has received critical acclaim from both audiences and critics alike.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)

The 2019 French historical drama film Portrait of a Lady on Fire explores the complex romantic relationship of two women in the 18th century.

The movie is directed by Céline Sciamma and follows the story of Marianne (played by Noémie Merlant), a painter who is commissioned to do the portrait of Héloïse (portrayed by Adèle Haenel), a young woman who has just left a convent and is set to marry a man she has never met.

The film explores themes of love, desire, and freedom as Marianne and Héloïse’s relationship develops into a passionate romance. The two women navigate the societal constraints of their time and must decide whether to follow their hearts or their duties to their families.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire has received critical acclaim for its stunning cinematography, powerful performances, and thought-provoking storyline. 

The film won the Queer Palm Award and Best Screenplay at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival and has been praised for its representation of LGBTQ+ love and its feminist themes.

My First Summer (2020)

My First Summer is a 2020 Australian coming-of-age film directed by Katie Found. 

The film follows the tale of Claudia (played by Markella Kavenagh), a young girl who is grieving the loss of her mother. She spends her summer in a remote area with her father until she meets Grace (portrayed by Maiah Stewardson), a free-spirited local girl who has been living alone in the nearby woods.

As Claudia and Grace’s friendship grows, they become increasingly drawn to each other and begin to explore their romantic feelings. 

Their relationship is met with disapproval from some members of their small community, but they continue to find solace in each other’s company and in the natural beauty around them.

The film navigates through the themes of grief, love, and self-discovery and has been praised for its beautiful cinematography and heartfelt performances from its lead actresses. 

My First Summer premiered at the Melbourne International Film Festival in 2020 and has since been shown at several other film festivals.

The World To Come (2020)

The World to Come is a 2020 American romantic drama film directed by Mona Fastvold. 

The film is based on a short story by Jim Shepard and is set in the mid-19th century on the American East Coast, focusing on the lives of two women who develop a deep and complex relationship.

The film follows Abigail (played by Katherine Waterston) and Dyer (portrayed by Casey Affleck), a married couple living on a remote farm in upstate New York. Their lives are forever changed when they meet their new neighbors, Tallie (played by Vanessa Kirby) and Finney (portrayed by Christopher Abbott). 

Abigail and Tallie quickly become close friends and eventually develop a deep romantic relationship, despite the societal pressures of the time and the disapproval of their husbands.

The World to Come centers on themes of love, desire, isolation, and the struggle to find one’s place in the world. 

The film has received critical acclaim for its beautifully shot visuals and strong performances, particularly from Kirby and Waterston. 

It premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September 2020 and has since been shown at several other film festivals.

Blue (2002)

Directed by Hiroshi Ando, the 2002 Japanese romantic drama film Blue is set in a small seaside town in Japan.

The film recounts the story of an introverted high school girl, Kayako Kirishima, who falls deeply in love with her female classmate, Masami Endo. 

The pair developed an intimate connection with each other, but Kayako soon discovered the truth behind Masami’s relationship with a married man in Tokyo.

Masami then leaves Kayako for her boyfriend, leaving the latter drowning in heartbreak and betrayal.

Blue centers on the misery associated with treachery and how much pain a person is willing to bear for the sake of their loved ones.