Oublier Cheyenne

Although LOOKING FOR CHEYENNE is most definitely a Lesbian film, it is not the clichéd, 'Coming Out Saga' which seems to permeate the genre. The characters in this film all have well established sexual identities, and their problems do not occur because of conflicting homosexual or heterosexual impulses, but are caused by situations which are more social or political in nature. Cheyenne and Sonia are lovers, and their relationship has spun out of control after Cheyenne loses her job as a journalist, and her benefits disappear. She cannot find employment, and decides to live outside of the system that has chosen to reject her. Sonia, on the other hand, is gainfully employed as a teacher, and although not entirely satisfied with her position, at least feels that she is providing a modicum of positive impact on society. This seems to be the core dilemma of the film, and other characters offer different shadings to the conflicting ideas of acceptance of the status quo, or complete disregard for the established order. The film doesn't really offer a solution, but shows the two main characters as they grapple with their personal issues against the backdrop of competing political ideologies. LOOKING FOR CHEYENNE is well shot, and, at times, engages a unique way of telling the tale in that the characters sometimes address the audience directly, and at other times, speak to other members of the cast in dreams or through hallucinatory sequences. Valérie Minetto, the director, has created a successful film which demonstrates the vicissitudes of Romance within the context of opposing views of authority and power.