January 19th

01-19-1995 French Twist – On this day the 1995 French comedy film was released in the US. It was written, starred and directed by Josiane Balasko and also starred Victoria Abril and Alain Chabat. A film only the French could do. The film also has a dubbed version in English, a rarity for French films. Josiane Balasko called making a film involving lesbianism “a difficult challenge, since all I had as reference on the subject were movies made mostly by men about men; male homosexuality has been shown on the screen thoroughly, unlike lesbianism, which has been kept silent and taboo.” The film has a great music score.

01-19-2001 Hedwig and the Angry Inch is released in the USA at the Sundance Film Festival. The American musical comedy-drama film is based on the stage musical of the same name about a fictional rock band fronted by an East German transgender singer. The film was adapted and directed by John Cameron Mitchell, who also portrayed the title role. The music and lyrics are by Stephen Trask. The film won the Best Director and Audience Awards at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival as well as Best Directorial Debut from the National Board of Review. Mitchell received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor and the Premiere magazine “Performance of the Year Award.”