Femme Filmmakers Festival Review: Bi-Nocular Panic (Anouk Witkowska Hiffler)

Femme Filmmakers Festival Bi-Nocular Panic Anouk Witkowska Hiffler Filmotomy

Bi-Nocular Panic is a witty and well-executed short that subverts the male gaze through the lens of two teenage girls. On a sunny afternoon, Cass (Albertine Sins) and Jane (Lucy Kean) engage in the familiar pastime of spying on boys (Luke Azille and Jed Cox).

However, when the captivating Melody (Vanessa Eng) appears, Cass experiences a shift in perspective, realising her attraction extends beyond the boys. The film playfully turns the tables on objectification, using slow-motion sequences and exaggerated reactions to highlight the girls’ newfound gaze.

Realistic dialogue and chemistry between the leads add authenticity to their exploration of emerging sexuality. With its clever premise and engaging execution, Bi-Nocular Panic offers a refreshing take on teenage discovery from the less usual female perspective and the complexities of attraction.

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Author: Ellen Cheshire

Ellen Cheshire is a film writer and lecturer who has written books on Jane Campion, Ang Lee, The Coen Brothers, Audrey Hepburn and Bio-Pics. Ellen has also written on women filmmakers in Silent Women: Pioneers of Cinema, Under Fire: a century of war movies, Counterculture UK- a celebration and the WJEC Eduqas Film Studies for A Level and AS text book.

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