Belinda Parsons

Two contrasting portraits of magnificently strong women: champion body builder Andrulla Blanchette and trapeze artist Vicki Amedume. Strength displayed and strength employed.

Thinking Twice features the pianist Katharina Wolpe playing music composed by her father Stefan Wolpe. Stefan Wolpe’s work is renowned for its originality and rigour, its sense of space and surprise. The unique and vital contribution of this important avant-garde composer continues to influence many young composers of today. The title is taken from a series of lectures given by Stefan Wolpe. In its lucid editing of piano keys in motion, and especially in close up shots of the pianist's hands and face, Jayne Parker "attempts to reflect the rigour of the music" (in her own words).

Stamford Hill in North London is home to a community of 30,000 Hasidic Jews. Aiming to preserve a way of life they had in eighteenth century Poland and living strictly according to over 600 Biblical commandments brings them into conflict with modern life. They have embraced one aspect fully though, the Volvo Estate car.

A mysterious woman recruits a Cabinet doorman and an ex-civil servant for a plot to bring down the British government.

In a society, which labels lesbians as masculine, man-hating and less than female, how are lesbians who choose to have children treated? This excellent film gives a voice to a variety of women from varying ages, races and class backgrounds. Some of the women were lesbians when they decided to have children; others became lesbians after being involved in heterosexual relationships. As lesbian mothers they all have to learn to cope with living in a hostile society, with the ever-present possibility of losing their children - if they still have them - their lovers, or their work. Breaking the Silence offers an engaging and compelling picture of an area of female existence which, for many, has had to remain hidden for fear of losing their children. From those who have been brave enough to speak out in this film what emerges is a voice of strength and courage in the face of outrageous bigotry.