Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same

Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same is an American independent 2011 comedy film written and directed by Madeleine Olnek.[2][3] It parodies lesbian culture and low-budget American 1950s science-fiction films in the style of Ed Wood.[4][5][6]

Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same
Film poster
Directed byMadeleine Olnek
Written byMadeleine Olnek
Produced by
  • Madeleine Olnek
  • Laura Terruso
  • Melissa Finell
  • Lucy Sexton
  • Cynthia Fredette
Starring
  • Lisa Haas
  • Susan Ziegler
  • Jackie Monahan
  • Cynthia Kaplan
Release date
  • January 24, 2011 (2011-01-24) (Sundance)[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

Three lesbian space aliens come to Earth, and one of the aliens, Zoinx, falls in love with an employee at a greeting card store named Jane. Jane shyly returns Zoinx's affection and they begin a romance, though Jane does not know that Zoinx is a space alien. In the meantime, Jane, Zoinx, and Zoinx's friends do not know that they may be in trouble: there are two government agents—men in black—monitoring Jane as she starts to become closer to a woman who the men feel does not belong on this planet.

Cast
  • Lisa Haas as Jane
  • Susan Ziegler as Zoinx
  • Jackie Monahan as Zylar
  • Cynthia Kaplan as Barr
  • Dennis Davis as Senior Agent
  • Alex Karpovsky as Rookie Agent
  • Rae C. Wright as Jane's Therapist
  • Clay Drinko as Alien News Anchor

Production

The film is an adaptation of a play Madeleine Olnek originally wrote and directed for New York's WOW Café theater in 1992,[7][8] which was also produced in San Francisco in 1999.[9]

Reception and Reviews

The film premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival.[10][11] As of June 2020, the film holds a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 14 reviews with an average rating of 6.2 out of 10.[12] It was nominated in the category of Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You at the 2011 Gotham Independent Film Awards.[13]

The film received an enthusiastic critical response, indieWIRE wrote, “the hilarious black-and-white sci-fi romantic comedy “Codependent…” charmed the pants off critics and audiences at the Sundance Film Festival where it world premiered. The film's since gone on to slay at a slew of festivals”[14] Variety concurred saying, “Sweet, funny, clever comedy...Olnek’s sensibility is singular, and the work of the cast-- notably the sweetfaced Haas and the hilariously robotic Ziegler-- make for a movie that seeks, and earns, affection.”[15] During the film's theatrical run, The New York Times emphasized the universality of the comedy. “Clever…witty...this enormously likable movie keeps sexual politics on the back burner and the universal search for connection front and center...Ed Wood would be proud.”[16] And the LA Times said, “'Codependent...' is silly, cheesy and surprisingly enjoyable. As goofy and singular as its look-twice title..."[17] The Hollywood Reporter also opined on the universality of the film, calling it, “A hilarious date movie for couples of all orientations.”[18] And the popular radio program/NPR affiliate, KPCC Film Week, enthused, “Really, really sweet and funny…hysterical…I watched it twice.”[19]

The film won a special award at OutFest in Los Angeles. It was named by Autostraddle as one of the "Top 14 Heterophobic Movies of all Time."[20]

See also

References
  1. "'Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same' Premieres at Sundance: Video Trailer". www.pride.com. 12 January 2011. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  2. d'Arcy, David. "Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same (review)". Screen Daily. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  3. Judell, Brandon. "Shorties: Codependent Lesbian Space Aliens and Cranky Autos". Culture Catch. Archived from the original on 16 January 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  4. Lowe, Justin (5 February 2011). "SUNDANCE REVIEW: Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  5. Anderson, Johns (26 January 2011). "Review: 'Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same'". Variety. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  6. Anderson, Melissa (4 January 2012). "Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same". Village Voice. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  7. Johns, Merryn (March–April 2016). "A world of women: celebrating the WOW Cafe, New York City's legendary lesbian theater space". Curve. p. 54+. Retrieved 2 February 2019 – via General OneFile. Madeleine Olnek, for example, wrote the funny-yet-political Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same while at WOW.
  8. Hughes, Holly; Tropicana, Carmelita; Dolan, Jill (30 November 2015). Memories of the Revolution: The First Ten Years of the WOW Café Theater. University of Michigan Press. p. 83. ISBN 978-0472068630. Retrieved 2 February 2019 – via GoogleBooks.
  9. Ehren, Christine (11 October 2001). "Co-dependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same in San Francisco, Oct. 11-28". Playbill. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
  10. "Madeleine Olnek on Raising Funds for Her Sundance Film 'Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same'". www.sundance.org. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  11. Newitz, Annalee (January 13, 2011). "Best movie title of the year: "Codependent Lesbian Alien Seeks Same"". io9. Gawker Media. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  12. "Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same (2012)". Retrieved 11 June 2020 – via www.rottentomatoes.com.
  13. Guerrasio, Jason (November 17, 2011). "Check Out Gothams' Best Film Not Playing At A Theater Near You Nominees at MOMA This Weekend". Filmmaker Magazine. IFP. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  14. Smith, Nigel M. (2011-07-14). "FUTURES | "Codependent Lesbian Space Alien" Director Madeleine Olnek on Sticking to Comedies". IndieWire. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  15. Anderson, John (2011-01-26). "Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same". Variety. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  16. Catsoulis, Jeannette (2012-01-06). "Lesbian Alien Looks for Love Light Years Away". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  17. "Review: Search for signs of intelligent love in 'Lesbian Space Alien'". Los Angeles Times. 2012-08-16. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  18. Lowe, Justin (2011-02-05). "SUNDANCE REVIEW: Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  19. "FilmWeek (8/17/12): The Expendables 2, ParaNorman, Cosmopolis and more". Southern California Public Radio. 2012-08-17. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  20. "The 14 Most Heterophobic Movies of All Time". Autostraddle. 2019-05-10. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
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