Dear Lemon Lima: A Feminist Gem

The world is so depressing right now. I’ve meant to post this piece about a feminist independent film that I love for awhile now, and I figure there’s no better time than now.

I saw this film this past summer at the film festival in my hometown of Saugatuck, MI.

Dear Lemon Lima

We meet our feminist heroine, Vanessa Lamour, heartsick after her boyfriend, Phillip, breaks up with her. She contemplates how to win him back, but eventually takes to writing his name on her toilet paper. A girl from modest means, she has won a scholarship to the private school that he attends. We join her on her journey through freshman year, experiencing and enduring ubiquitous high school experiences, such as the social caste system and watching your love canoodle with a new love, as well as experiences unique to this Alaskan private school, particularly the “Snowstorm Survivor Competition”. Exploring this world with Vanessa Lamour, as she evolves in her understandings about love, friendship, loss, and pride for one’s heritage, is a delight both as a feminist, and as a woman who would have loved to have Vanessa’s supply of integrity and strength back in high school. (Note: the film deals with the issue of suicide.)

One aspect I love about this film is that none of the characters are one-dimensional; the film shows us both the kind and sometimes cruel nature of the characters. Additionally, the way the film explores, often humorously, the difference between authentic homage to heritage and cultural misappropriation is spot on. Dear Lemon Lima is a fantastically feminist tale. I hope you can track it down and enjoy it as well! According to the website it’s on VOD.

http://www.dearlemonlimamovie.com/