Lesbian Space Princess: A Wild Inter-Gay-Lactic Journey of Self-Discovery

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When Leela Varghese and Emma Hough Hobbs, who happen to be in a relationship for four years, resolved to collaborate on a feature film, they soon found themselves debating about the movie’s format, leading to a heated discussion.

According to Hobbs’ account to The Hollywood Reporter, he left angrily and took a shower. In the mist of that moment, three words appeared to him: Lesbian, Space, Princess.

Or,

Hobbs told The Hollywood Reporter that he went away in anger and had a shower. It was there, amidst the haze, that the phrase “Lesbian Space Princess” came to him.

Making its debut in Berlin’s Panorama segment, the film “Lesbian Space Princess” takes us to the vibrant lesbian queens of Planet Clitopolis. The story revolves around Saira (voiced by Shabana Azeez), a shy character who experiences heartbreak when her girlfriend Kiki (Bernie Van Tiel), a bounty hunter, ends their relationship. This film premieres in Berlin for the first time.

Following the abduction of Kiki by the obscure group of future incels, referred to as “Straight White Maliens,” it falls upon Princess Saira to step outside her safe haven and retrieve their ransom – her mighty labrys, a formidable weapon revered among lesbians. With only 24 hours at her disposal to secure the labrys and rescue Kiki, Princess Saira embarks on an enlightening intergalactic voyage that uncovers personal truths.

This animated comedy is just as described: entertaining, colorful, and driven by an incredibly intelligent script. Drawing inspiration from classic romantic comedies like “Legally Blonde” and “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” as well as adult cartoons such as “Invader Zim” and “YOLO: Crystal Fantasy,” along with a generous dose of anime, Varghese’s original music and Hobbs’ animation expertise combine to produce a humorous, politically astute, yet emotionally resonant sci-fi adventure for the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.

One key aspect of our writing process was continually attempting to amuse one another,” Hobbs explains. “We’d often be in different rooms, working independently, and then we’d share our work, hearing laughter from the other room as a response.” Varghese concurs: “I believe we wouldn’t have produced a quality script without that mutual accountability.

The “Space Princess Lesbian” is part of a grassroots movement in South Australia, promoting fresh perspectives from underrepresented artists within the film industry. This production garnered a preview screening at the Adelaide Film Festival and its creators, Varghese and Hobbs, are now eager to share their work with global audiences. “As an Australian, it’s strange to me that something I helped create could be successful or well-received,” says Varghese about the film’s impact on the LGBTQ+ film scene thus far. “It’s almost unreal to think that a project born from our minds could resonate with people in this way.” Hobbs chimes in, “We’re a bit geeky at heart, and I feel like we made a film that we longed for as young fans ourselves.

The duo embarked on this project as far back as 2021, their passion sustained by a protagonist who resonates deeply – Saira, a woman of color grappling with anxiety, much like ourselves in her quest for confidence and asserting presence. As Varghese puts it, “She embodies our own struggles.” However, transforming the narrative into a sci-fi adventure opened up a world of imaginative possibilities for the filmmakers, according to Hobbs in an interview with THR: “It’s the most versatile genre. We could craft a feminist utopia and challenge existing political structures.

Varghese remarks that the animated series offers an escape for audiences who identify as queer and people of color. He explains that Emma’s rule, which states not to create an animation if it could have been a live-action film, initially seemed absurd to him. At first, he thought, “We’re not making something called ‘Lesbian Space Princess.’ But then, they pondered, “Perhaps we should do this?

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2025-02-13 12:05