“Lesbian Area Princess“, an animated sci-fi musical comedy with maybe the most effective identify of all time, begins by claiming that is “the love story of Kiki and Saira.” That’s, till Kiki tells Saira the 2 phrases nobody needs to listen to: “You’re dumped.” It’s even worse when that bomb is dropped unexpectedly, as is the case with Saira. Simply two seconds earlier, the titular princess was going by means of a scrapbook she’d product of the pair’s relationship, saying “I do know in our hearts we shall be collectively endlessly and ever and ever.”
That’s not the case, in fact, but their story doesn’t finish there, and that’s as a result of it’s not a love story. Or a minimum of, not the one you’d count on. As a result of when Kiki is instantly kidnapped by the Straight White Maliens, who else goes to rescue Saira’s “Sizzling as fuck (ex) accomplice” than Saira herself, daughter to the lesbian Queens of Planet Clitopolis?
Delicate this movie isn’t, however that’s very a lot the purpose. Instantly after Saira’s dumped, the phrases “She’s a lesbian, she’s in house, and he or she’s additionally a princess — oh, and he or she’s very unhappy” ring out in music, letting audiences know precisely what they’re in for. That absurdity carries by means of as this tongue-in-cheek journey takes Saira out of her consolation zone in additional methods than one. To ship the ransom, her royal labrys, the titular princess has simply 24 hours to achieve the Straight White Maliens and hand over probably the most highly effective weapon identified to lesbian form. Alongside the best way, Saira should take care of a problematic ship (I see what you’re doing there) and Willow, a homosexual popstar runaway whose acoustic vocals can put you below her spell (see what I’m doing there?)
Should you too are as obsessive about “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” as I’m, you will note what I’m doing, since you’ll clock that one in all Willow’s songs begins with a guitar riff that intentionally evokes “Beneath Your Spell”… Sure, that lesbian love music sung by Willow and Tara within the present’s groundbreaking musical episode, “As soon as Extra With Feeling”. It’s a small element that may fly below the radar for most individuals watching, and the identical is probably going true for numerous extra that most likely flew previous me as nicely on this primary watch.
This consideration to element and layering of gags inside gags evokes “Wallace & Gromit” of all issues, corresponding to a DVD titled “Raiders of the Misplaced Dyke”, to not point out numerous different visible jokes crammed into the world of Clitopolis and past. But the animation is actually worlds faraway from Aardman Studios, impressed as an alternative by anime like “Sailor Moon” in addition to psychedelic hand-drawn cartoons corresponding to “Journey Time”, “The Midnight Gospel”, and to a lesser diploma, “Rick & Morty”. It’s miraculous that South Australian co-writers/administrators Emma Hough Hobbs and Leela Varghese handle this on what the press notes describe as a “close to not possible finances”, crafting a heartfelt candy-colored love letter to lesbians in a galaxy far, distant.
The allure of their animation, earnest and just a little tough across the edges, additionally extends to the characters themselves. There’s a contact of “Scott Pilgrim vs the World” occurring right here with our hero out to rescue their ex, but this time round, the green-haired bisexual isn’t the ex in any respect. As a substitute, she’s the manic pixie dream lady vying for our hero’s consideration. Gemma Chua Tran, of “Heartbreak Excessive” fame, transcends that stereotype nonetheless with some much-needed nuance whereas Shabana Azeez takes the “Most Boring Royal (as voted for by the folks)” and truly makes her fairly fascinating.
In actual fact, Saira’s ongoing battle with nervousness is among the movie’s strengths, utilizing the limitless scope of animation to embody psychological sickness in a really bodily and relatable manner. The journey itself is real looking too in that Saira doesn’t robotically overcome her fears with ease just because she’s the protagonist and is required to take action. But among the affect is misplaced amidst the chaos as a result of there is just too a lot occurring without delay, too many gags and facet quests vying to your consideration. It’s stunning and brilliant, sure, however there are dangers available in flying too near the solar.
“Lesbian Area Princess” proudly boasts of its many alternative style components, encompassing the whole lot from drama and comedy to sci-fi and musical theater, all filtered by means of a rainbow lens. It’s a part of the movie’s attraction, in fact, and in the beginning particularly, this ambition pays off. However as an increasing number of jokes fly our manner, the hit price begins to range as if Saira herself is making an attempt to make us chuckle however sometimes tries too exhausting when she will be able to inform it’s not all the time working.
Our preliminary encounter with “straight house” outdoors of Saira’s typical “secure house” is particularly gag-worthy, however from that time on, different jabs (rightly) aimed on the cis straight white male majority typically fall flat. The Straight White Maliens are notably on the nostril, and it’s a disgrace as a result of they didn’t must be. The vast majority of audiences coming to a movie like “Lesbian Area Princess” don’t require hand-holding on the subject of making enjoyable of the particular folks these villains signify as a result of we’re already greater than conversant in them in actual life. There was scope right here to be a bit extra intelligent and transcend the plain, which could have been misplaced a bit within the movie’s bid to take action a lot without delay.
The place “Lesbian Area Princess” does excel — as you may count on and hope for — is in the best way it explores queerness itself. By presenting this world as a uncommon queer utopia in fantasy and sci-fi, the movie units itself aside as a narrative that viscerally feels prefer it was made by and for queer folks. Our tales are nonetheless a relative rarity in style fare corresponding to this, not to mention movies that actively take pleasure in ostracizing individuals who aren’t queer.. It’s a welcome function reversal, but the movie efficiently has its cake and eats it too by shifting the same old queer allegory of not belonging into Saira’s battle for energy as a summoner of the legendary labrys. There she feels damaged and unworthy, in ways in which queer folks typically can, with out recycling the same old drained tales of oppression and self-hatred. To be queer is the norm right here in all its inter-gay-lactic glory.
So sure, it is a love story, but it surely’s “the love story of Kiki and Saira,” as we’re first led to consider. Refreshingly sufficient, it’s not essentially the love story of Willow and Saira both. As a substitute, it’s a narrative about loving your self, or a minimum of studying to like your self, which may be very a lot wanted at the moment, even when the messaging is a bit clunky in locations.
Grade: B-
“Lesbian Area Princess” premiered on the 2025 Berlin Worldwide Movie Competition. It’s presently in search of U.S. distribution.
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