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Phyllis and Francesca 48 Years On
By
Edwina StorieDuration
8 MIN
Language
English
Country
Australia
Year
2018
Synopsis
In 1970, when homosexuality was illegal and Australia could barely fathom the idea of lesbian relationships, a television show by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation interviewed young couple Phyllis and Francesca. It questioned them on how they could be sure of their homosexuality, and explained the ‘science’ of the time.
Despite being little known, Phyllis and Francesca started Australia's first gay rights activist group. Via their story, this short documentary reveals Australia's once shocking 1970s attitudes, and profiles what life is like after 48 years of love.
Direction
Edwina Storie
Edwina cut her teeth editing at the ABC where she searched through and resurfaced the organisation's fascinating archival content.
She fell in love with documentary filmmaking while watching the ABC's early investigative journalism programs from the '60s and '70s, including Chequerboard and This Day Tonight. After studying cinematography at the Australian Film and Television School, she was soon wielding a camera.
Phyllis & Francesca 48 Years On is Edwina's first film. After coming across an archival interview featuring the couple, Edwina spent a year searching for them as Australia bitterly debated same-sex marriage. Thanks to the film, Phyllis and Francesca have received some well-deserved recognition, including the 2019 LGBTI Lifetime Achievement Award.
Edwina is currently in post production on her second short film which documents Uganda's first Miss Curvy beauty pageant.
Editing
Edwina Storie
Sound mixing
Evan Horton
Cinematographer
Marleena Forward
Manager
Amber Ma
Art direction
Simon Brazzalotto
Original Title
Phyllis and Francesca 48 Years On