Films & Events

The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls

Winner Lena Sharpe Award for Persistence of Vision, presented by Women in Film/Seattle

Pride of New Zealand, the Topp Twins, Jools and Lynda were once merely farm girls in love with riding horses. Soon, their energetic talent, political savvy and concern, harmonizing vocals and melodies, and campy Kiwi theatrics were bound to find an audience outside their home on the range. A hit TV show followed, an international tour was next, and soon the girls were lassoing their messages of love and equality to issues as broad as apartheid and nuclear disarmament. The passage of a successful homosexual rights reform bill in New Zealand’s Parliament certainly deserves a big nod to the tireless efforts of the Topps. With great affection and admiration, director Leanne Pooley reveals the true heart of this inseparable sibling duo through charming home movie footage and seriously funny interviews. Woven among the exuberant hilarity is an amazing musical showcase of the Topp’s acoustic country songs (they were inducted into New Zealand’s Music Hall of Fame in 2008), beautiful double vocal harmonies, and yes indeedy, some mighty masterful mellifluent yodeling. Now that’s entertainment.

Screens in The Best of SIFF 2010 series at SIFF Cinema June 18-20

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Sponsors:
KEXP 90.3 Seattle, Seattle - Christchurch Sister City Association

Cast & Crew

Director: Leanne Pooley
Producer: Arani Cuthbert
Editor: Tim Woodhouse
Screenwriter: Leanne Pooley, Jools Topp, Lynda Topp
Cinematographer: Leon Narbey, Wayne Vinten
Awards: Toronto FF 2009 (Audience Award), Melbourne FF 09 (Audience Award), Portland FF 10 (Audience Award)

Music: Lynda Topp, Jools Topp
Filmography: The Promise (2005); Haunting Douglas (2003)

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(6 reviews)

User reviews

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    Charming subject for a 15-minute short, May 30, 2010

    By skinnytires

    “Films that celebrate the lives outspoken lesbians are few. Therein lies the only reason to see this film. This compilation of film clips and interviews would have made a charming short film. ”

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    Uplifting, inspiring, and constantly funny., May 30, 2010

    By rhonan

    “Twin lesbian yodelers from New Zealand: on the one hand, yet another example of how reality is stranger than fiction, on the other, the real-life story of two amazing women. Really, what is more inspiring than seeing a movie about twin sisters that have succeeded in creating a life they truly love” … full review

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    Joyful, Warm, Real, May 31, 2010

    By rsmith8

    “These two sisters affirm life and living with earthy humor, harmony, wisdom, and courage! The first reviewer missed a great opportunity to move from head to heart! ”

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    A warm and delightful treat, Jun 02, 2010

    By mnoyes

    “How can one resist a movie about singing, yodeling, wisecracking lesbian twins from New Zealand? I had been hearing a lot of good buzz about this movie and it definitely was as advertised - interesting, funny, sweet, and charming. But most of all, it was a wonderful film about the power of hope, of” … full review

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    The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls, Jun 08, 2010

    By tornadoZ

    “I don't think I've ever had this much fun at a SIFF screening before. This terrific documentary about New Zealand's yodeling, political activist, lesbian, folk-singing wonder twins Jools and Lynda Topp is a barrel of laughs, but also provides an insightful look at some of the political issues” … full review

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Screenings

Egyptian Theatre
May 30, 2010 7:00 PM
7:00 PM (Date has passed.)
May 31, 2010 11:00 AM
11:00 AM (Date has passed.)