Loving Annabelle

Loosely based on the 1931 lesbian movie Maedchen in Uniform, a young girl sent to boarding school develops a crush on her female teacher. The attraction is shared, but nothing ever comes of it.

The film, written and directed by Katherine Brooks, isn't eager to rush into a full on romance which leaves the audience pining for more. By the time you get to the ending everything that comes before is instantly endearing and endlessly cherished. Loving Annabelle is a visually stunning look into the undeniable mystery of….Love.

Annabelle (Erin Kelly) and Simone (Diane Gaidry) ignite the screen with a physical and emotional portrayal of two characters the audience can invest in. A 17 yr old catholic schoolgirl, who falls in love with her poetry teacher, seems simple and overplayed.

Soon it is forgotten that the lesbian teacher/student relationship is taboo. The undeniable emotional connection between Simone and Annabelle weaves a solid yet mystery filled web of attraction. There are moments where you fall out of touch, but you are easily brought back with the driving force of Annabelle.

Colins (Laura Breckenridge) gives a stunning performance, as well as, Cat (Gustine Fudicker) who commands the screen with her sinister lines and tough attitude. A well balance to an already female driven cast is Kevin McCarthy, who plays Simone's longtime boyfriend.

Without intending to it leaves you with a lot of questions. Would you root for this couple if the teacher had been a man? Would you want this to end in romance if the teacher had been the aggressor? This film makes you think about the double standards we face in this world. The difference in age, the difference in genders, and the differences the world imposes on us as a whole.

Brooks has made her mark as a touching and caddy writer/director who is willing to step out on a limb and be true to her audience. This isn't a film about lesbians, this is a film about the struggle of love. She makes strides, and it is clear that the controversial topic remains an enigma to everyone.

Katherine Brooks has directed The Osbournes, Newlyweds and The Real World. She has made two shorts, Finding Kate and Dear Emily. She also directed and produced the pilot for the controversial Coming Out, He's A Lady, Town Haul, and The Simple Life. She is currently working on the upcoming movie Mad World.