Bloodsisters: Leather, Dykes, and Sadomasochism

Monday, October 10, 2022

Digital Projection

Tamara Santibañez presents BLOODSISTERS: LEATHER, DYKES, AND SADOMASOCHISM (Michelle Handelman, 1995)

Interdisciplinary artist Tamara Santibañez presents BLOODSISTERS: LEATHER, DYKES, AND SADOMASOCHISM, a deep dive into a community of Leatherdykes in San Francisco in the mid-90s. This debut documentary by filmmaker Michelle Handelman presents a rough collage of kink and BDSM practices, leaning into forms of play not often shown, even in queer films. From images of needle play to shots of extended BDSM scenes to tops directly addressing the audience as their submissives, the film is unflinching in its portrayal of this leather scene. Through collected interviews, an image of a community that is grappling with questions of forbidden desires, gender & sexual fluidity, and the politicization of their very existence begins to emerge. Between the bright colored overlays and the iconic 90s fashion (mullets everywhere!), the film itself transforms into a kind of a time capsule, documenting a moment in queer history in all its messy, complicated, campy glory.

Screening as part of Fall 2022 season of Queer|Art|Film.

  • Year 1995
  • Running Time 77 minutes
  • Format DCP
  • Director Michelle Handelman
  • Accessibility Assistive Listening, T-Coil

IFC Center does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. In addition to the synopses, trailers and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches.