Brodie Lancaster's Filmme Fatales takes zines to the big screen.
Filmme Fatales, a zine edited by Brodie Lancaster, focuses on the intersection of feminism and film. The fifth issue of the zine explores various aspects of consuming film with essays ranging from reasons why Anne Hathaway is undeserving of hate to a journalist’s diary of Cannes. The combination of dynamic double-page photograph spreads, relevant illustrations, and compelling writing combine to form the kind of zine that I have no interest in putting down from the moment I tear it from the envelope.
I really admire the zine’s utilization of illustration. There is no focal point; the illustrations and writing complement one another. I particularly feel this way with Monika Zaleska's piece about the intensity of BFFship as compared between the films Thirteen, Me Without You, and Heavenly Creatures. The writing and comparisons between each film and the realities of teen girl BFFship are interesting and the illustrations allow the reader to further understand the dynamics. Monika created graphs to show the similarities and differences between the young women featured in the films, exemplifying how friendship can exist in various environments but still hold the same truths. With “Sympathy For Lady Vengeance” by Gemma Flynn, Kirsten Johnson’s illustrations detail powerful women in film and display their strengths and weaknesses. These visual reminders of characters—as well as explanations for those who aren't familiar with them—feel welcoming and affirming. Filmme Fatales offers unique readings of different films and the industry in multiple formats, from Adri Murguia’s live tweet log of Bring It On to Brodie Lancaster’s Terminator 2 vs. The Bodyguard comparison chart. 
The zine also features four interviews with women who have various roles in the film industry, from Janet Pierson, the Head of SXSW film to Linda Lichter, an entertainment lawyer. The range provided allows for a wide overview of the film, all containing well-thought-out questions posed to intelligent, successful women. This zine examines movies I haven’t previously heard of, and allows me to understand and appreciate movies that I've long known. Reading Filmme Fatales feels like speaking with a new friend about a movie that you've forgotten about, and feeling a renewed admiration for the film.
Buy your own copy of Filmme Fatales here.
THIS STAFF POST WAS CONTRIBUTED BY:
Rachel Davies is a Canadian teenager and the founder of a zine called Pop Culture Puke. In her spare time, Rachel likes to tweet about Kanye West and Greta Gerwig here.
