●Director: John Cameron Mitchell
●Cast: Sook-Yin Lee, Paul Dawson, PJ Deboy
●2006, United States
●Distribution/Marketing in Japan: Asmik Ace
●Image/Photograph credits: © 2006 Safeword Productions LLC
For more information see:
Shortbus' Myspace page, and/or the
Shortbus Japanese site

Profile: Sook-Yin Lee
Born in Canada, Sook-Yin Lee is a well-known media and music personality in her country. In addition to working as an actress, she currently produces and hosts television and radio programs for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Her creative musical ability as both a singer and songwriter rings out powerfully in "Beautiful" on the Shortbus soundtrack.
　

A lot of my early influences were friends who were also lesbians. I left home when I was 15, and my original group of friends was a wonderful group of women. They had really free body-positive outlooks on life, and to me this was very surprising. You could be walking around naked, and you didn't have to hide. You could go and swim in the ocean without any clothes on! I felt many freedoms there and, for a young teenager, I was very lucky to have them as friends.

-- In what sense did they influence you?

They really helped me to overcome some of my fears concerning my body. We actually got into a van, and drove down to Arizona. We visited Good Vibrations, the women's sex store - kind of feminist and female. That's where I found my first vibrator and that was very key to me being able to understand how my body worked!

-- You said that what surprised you with lesbians is that they have a really free body-positive outlook on life. Why do you think lesbians are freer in their bodies in general? 　　　

Well, probably because they've had to really be brave to stand up for what they are and embrace who they are in a society that is often hostile towards anyone that doesn't fit the norm. You have to have a lot of self-possession. They were really fun friends - we got to all kind of adventures. I do find people who are marginalized to be smart and funny and creative.

-- True (laughs). Have you ever been attracted by a woman?

Of course!

-- Have you had any experiences with women?

Yeah.

-- How far did you go?

(laughs) Sex.

-- Have you dated any women?

I haven't had a full time relationship, but I've dated.

--Right on, I see. What are the differences between the gay scenes in Canada and those in the US, according to what you've seen? 　

Well, in Vancouver, the girls I grew up with were more about nature. We would just go up the river in the summer and squat. We just camped out there and ran through the woods, and had a lot of fun (laughs). In Vancouver - because the nature is so prevalent and beautiful - there's a lot more of the "organic" sort-of nature lesbians (laughs). Not so hippie-ish as granola lesbians, but like post-punk kinda nature girls.

-- And how was it in New York?

New York was very interesting. It's gone beyond sort of gay and lesbian and bi and straight, on to many different sexualities. It's almost exotic to be straight in New York (laughs). I found that there's really an acceptance of anybody within that scene - and in the "Shortbus" world.

-- Bitch, Daniela Sea, JD from Le Tigre and a number of real iconic queer women also appeared in the movie; What did you think of them?

They were all extremely hot. I felt like they had a spell on me whenever I was in their presence.