Blue Jean

Great Britain, 1980s: the Conservative Party, led by Margaret Thatcher, has been in power for many years, and this is evident in all areas. In 1988, for example, Section 28 was added to the statute book, a law banning the "promotion" of homosexuality in public life. For Jean (Rosy McEwen), a lesbian gym teacher who has not yet come out of the closet, it does not matter much at first; after all, she keeps her private life strictly separate from her work. Everything changes with the arrival of a new student: 15-year-old Lois. The girl, an outsider, is soon bullied by the other girls. Jean knows why: Lois is also gay. This puts her in a dilemma: should she obey the law or support Lois?

The 1980s seem a long time ago, yet this story about intolerance and self-acceptance, which debutant director Georgia Oakley wrote herself, is still relevant today. It earned her several film awards, including at Venice.