Outfest’s All-GiRl Friday Headliners Cathy DeBuono and Jill Bennett Chat About Life, Love and Lola.

by Lesley Goldberg

And Then Came Lola, set to anchor the All-Girl Friday screenings at this month’s Outfest, is like a lesbian version of Groundhog Day where Lola (Ashleigh Sumner) learns in a crazed San Francisco day what it truly means to show up for her girlfriend. Co-stars Jill Bennett (Here’s Dante’s Cove, webseries 3Way) and partner Cathy DeBuono paused to discuss their characters, commitment and what Outfest means to them.

FRONTIERS IN L.A.: How would you describe the film?

JILL BENNETT: It’s basically just a little slice of life about a commitment-phobic lesbian trying to save her relationship, and it just follows her through a day of trying to help her girlfriend out and you see whether or not Lola succeeds in keeping her relationship in tact.

CATHY DEBUONO: I don’t think it’s going to illicit any profound thought-changing cathartic experiences in anyone, but I think it’s going to be a really fun good time.

How would you describe your characters?

JB: I am sort of the long-suffering girlfriend. You’ll see through the course of the film that I am ready, willing and able to have a deeper relationship with Lola and she’s either scared or fearful of commitment or possibly diving in further (to their relationship), and so this task that I set her upon is sort of, for me, a test of our love and commitment to one another.

CD: My character, for lack of a better word, is the antagonist, I suppose. I’m the one that sort of adds to the conflict that Lola has to hurry up and deal with. She’s got a few things that are working against her and I’m one of them...

Why do you think so many lesbians fear commitment?

JB: I think it’s interesting that we date and form our friendships within the same social group and that might be part of the reason why. People joke about the incestuous nature of lesbianism, but it’s only because of the simple fact that we socialize and date within the same social groups so it’s bound to happen.

What was production like in San Francisco?

JB: It was cold! [Laughs] It was a lot of fun. What made it so much fun was that we had a very lesbian crew and cast. I’ve never worked with such a heavily female cast and crew before. Also, to then have the fact that this is all family made it a lot of fun. There was really no drama on set, it was a lot of fun, a lot of support and part of that was San Francisco. There was a different sort of vibe than there was down in Hollywood; it was much more sort of family. There was no competition, there was no ego, everybody was there having a good time helping to make something fun for the lesbian audience.

What was it about the script that made you want to be a part of Lola?

CD: I liked that it was light and fun and I liked that it was being made by two lesbian filmmakers.

What does being part of Outfest mean to you?

CD: It means having to go shopping and buy appropriate clothing for events! [Laughs] It’s fun. It’s fun to be a part of celebrating our culture making its own entertainment.

the details

And Then Came Lola
screens July 19 at Outfest
Tickets: outfest.org