Lost in the mound of teen comedies that arrived at the turn of the century
was director Jamie Babbit's But I'm a Cheerleader. Thanks to its lesbian content, the film was somewhat buried on its
release back in 1999 but has become a cult favourite since, even inspiring
an upcoming stage musical.
The film stars Natasha Lyonne as a suburban cheerleader sent to a
gay conversion therapy camp when her parents suspect she might be a
lesbian. But their plan backfires when she falls for a fellow camper (Clea Duvall). Cathy Moriarty, RuPaul Charles, Eddie Cibrian, Melanie Lynskey, Mink
Stole
and Michelle Williams also star.
Restored in 4K, a new director's cut has been assembled for release on UK
blu-ray on June 21st. Pre-order at
Amazon.
Bonus features include a reunion featurette; a "making of"; an interview
with composer Pat Irwin; Babbit's student film Discharge; and a feature
commentary with Babbit, costume designer Alix Friedberg and production designer Rachel
Kamerman.
Check out the new trailer below.
The official synopsis reads:
This whimsically edgy comedy follows teenager Megan (Natasha Lyonne, Orange is the New Black), whose suburban existence, filled with friends, cheerleading, and all-American fun, is upended when her straight-laced parents suspect she may be a lesbian. In a panic, they send her to True Directions, a ‘rehabilitation’ camp run by the strict and prudish Mary (Cathy Moriarty, Raging Bull), to mount an intervention led by counselor Mike (RuPaul Charles, RuPaul’s Drag Race). Megan dutifully follows the program — until she develops feelings for another camper (Clea DuVall, The Handmaid’s Tale)…
