In a sexually oppressed society where homosexuality is still a taboo, finding three lesbians willing to come forward and commit their life experiences to film was no easy feat.
Documentary film director Lim May Ling recalls the initial stages of putting together her documentary, Women Who Love Women: Conversations in Singapore, as being difficult. 'We approached a lot of women because we wanted different age groups, but for the most part, although they had already come out to their friends and families, women were still reluctant to do the project, I think because they weren't comfortable to have something like that etched forever on screen. Once it's out there, it's not something you can take back.'
Lesbians in Singapore may not face the legal repression of gay men (consensual sex between two men remains outlawed under Section 377A of the penal code, an ordinance that does not apply to same-sex relationships between two women) but they still feel misunderstood and that their lifestyle is frowned on by society.
'We're practically invisible. In Singapore, it's really a don't-ask-don't-tell situation for lesbians,' says Lim. 'The culture here is that maybe your family and colleagues know but they would prefer you not saying it. It's a hush-hush kind of situation. Legally, we don't face any restrictions, but it's not the practice to bring your partner to dances and functions and it's almost always uncomfortable for your bosses or colleagues to know that you're gay.'
Women Who Love Women, to be screened at this year's Hong Kong Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, focuses on three women recounting their coming out and talking about their relationships and public perceptions.
Producer Ngiam Su Lin, who conceived the idea, says she wanted to produce a documentary 'that could address issues about being lesbian in Singapore, that could portray them honestly, and that could provide a wider audience with a glimpse into what being lesbian means and what it is about'.
'I wanted a documentary that could also hopefully empower the lesbian and gay community by giving us a voice and creating dialogue, hopefully also debunking myths, prejudices, stereotypes and biases along the way,' Ngiam says.