‘Katzenball’ is an interesting and humorous journey into the history of lesbians in Switzerland, consisting of a mixture of archive footage and entertaining personal stories about search for identity by the ‘women who like women’ of all generations. Through the stories of Johanna, Livia, Ursula, Heidi and Samira, director Veronika Minder gives us an excellent historical outline of their political struggle, their desire to establish mutual contacts and their search for hidden zones where they could freely express their sexuality. The film covers the period from the 1940s and ‘50s, when the beginnings of lesbian sub-culture were first noted, to the present-day.
Veronika Minder
Veronika Minder was born Spiez, Switzerland in 1948. She studied history of art at the University of Bern. From 1988-1999 she was the manager of Cinélibre. She is the initiator of Swiss ‘FrauenFilmtage’ and ‘Queersicht’ Festivals in Bern.
General sponsor
Katzenball / Ball des chattes sauvages
Switzerland
2005, 87', color, 35 mm
Directed by:
Veronika Minder
Screenplay by:
Veronika Minder
Cinematography:
Helena Vagnières
Edited by:
Michael Schaerer
Music:
Tina Kohler
Producer:
Valerie Fischer
Produced by:
Cobra Film AG
