The story of lesbians and the cinema told for the first time in Vampires and Violets, is a love-hate affair in which the invisible becomes visible in fascinating and surprising ways. With wit, insight and liberal illustrations, the author brings into her discussions a wide range of films, both popular and forgotten, as well as the work of contemporary directors such as Chantal Akerman, Barbara Hammer, Su Friedrich, Ulrike Ottinger and many others.