Game Girls the sophomore documentary from Alina Skrzeszewska filmed in cinema-verite mode is a highly emotional view of the rocky relationship of two African/American young lesbians living in LA’s notorious Skid Row which seems like the end of the world.
When the film starts Terim who is coping with mental illness, is going to meet her girlfriend, Tiahna as she is released from jail for drug dealing. It sets the tone of their shocking roller-coaster lives and serves as a rude awakening for so many of us of how tough life really is living on societies edges.
Both girls are fearless and take for the granted the sheer roughness of the neighbourhood, where the homeless population is estimated to be as high as 10,000. Skrzeszewska’s camera sticks closely to the pair as their try to negotiate their way around the complicated welfare system as Teri in particular wants to be able to move out of the area into a home of their own.
Her unidentified mental illness fuels her dramatic mood swings which places a punishing toll on her relationship with Tiahna, let alone anyone else that comes onto her radar. There is one scene of such violent domestic abuse that is really surprising that the camera kept rolling, and that Skrzeszewska kept it in the film. However there are equally some wonderful tender moments which illustrate the sheer romantic nature of the the girls relationship that they are determined, against all the odds, will survive.
What is very surprising that these two young women who feel under no pressure to find work are met with extremely helpful local agencies to not just assist them with their social security benefits but find them free housing too . Also the City allows them free counseling in the form of group therapy sessions where they act out personal stories using toys.
Game Girls is a very personal story that ends as it starts, except now it’s Tiahna waiting for Teri to be released from jail. Skrzeszewska makes no effort to explain the political and moral backgrounds of why people either choose or are forced to live like this in this day and age, but the girls eye-opening story gives one plenty of scope for thought …… and more than a little despair.
Labels: 2019, cinema verite, documentary, lesbians
