This episode of Girls On Film is dedicated to BAFTA-nominated drama Blue Jean, which is set in 1980s Newcastle, at a time when Thatcher’s government was making life very difficult for gay people in the UK. The law ‘Section 28’ forbade “the teaching in schools of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship”. Rosy McEwen puts in a terrific performance as teacher Jean, who has to keep her sexuality a secret, and is put in a difficult position when she meets a pupil of hers in a lesbian bar.
Anna Smith talks with writer-director Georgia Oakley and producer Hélène Sifre, as well as with lead actor Rosy McEwen and Kerrie Hayes, who plays Jean’s girlfriend Viv.
You can listen to the episode here.