--So the French cable channel Canal Plus produced ”A Lez in Wonderland” for broadcast on its airwaves. How did you get this project? Did they approach you?

This film is the result of the many years I spent as an underground video and film maker and performance artist, trying to break into becoming a serious filmmaker. This film cost 8000 euros, which is like $100,000 US. This is the first time I dealt with that large a budget. They had asked ten lesbian filmmakers from around the world to do ten minute short documentaries on their cities. I had never done a documentary, so I kind of invented it and the idea of a reporter.

--Was this the Dinah thing?

No, my first work was on lesbian life in Los Angeles. They liked it. And then two years later, they contacted me asking for a proposal, so I gave them one on the annual Michigan Women's Music Festival. However, they said, “No. We don't want this kind of lesbian. They are too ugly.”

They said, “We want Dinah Shore.” So, last year I told them, “Sure.” I explained that I wanted to do a piece on the lipstick lesbian revolution, and they loved it. They came to me and said, “We learned so much from your presentation. But we don’t want a 60 minute documentary. We want you in front of the camera - and we want you to make us laugh. We want to know what this event is, who goes there, and what's it about. And we want everyone at the end of the film to want to go and see it for themselves.”

--And so you ended up appearing in the film?

Yes, at their urging. I had to write myself into this serious documentary I had prepared. So, after thinking, I went back to them and I said, “Ok, I’m a mime. The screen’s black. I’m in the dessert. It's a metaphor for looking for other women.” I did my pitch and, it was just so crazy that they had to say yes to everything I wanted. I told them, “I want a convertible. I need money for clothes. I need a haircut, a facial..”

Also, I got them to agree to an all American lesbian film crew. I didn't want to take a French film crew. And at the same time, I wanted to give lesbians jobs. But, I also didn't know how the women at the lesbian weekend event would react to me saying, “Hi! I’m from French television! Can you tell me your most intimate details?” when they’re having fun getting drunk and trying to get laid. But their reaction was good - contrary to what I expected. It was fascinating.