Taglines: In a world that expects you to fit in, sometimes you have to stand out.
All Over Me focuses on Claude (Alison Folland), a teenage girl who lives in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City, and is the story of her sexual discovery and budding lesbianism. Claude’s best friend is Ellen (Tara Subkoff). Her plan to start a band with Ellen is subverted when Ellen begins dating Mark (Cole Hauser).
Claude discovers that Luke (Pat Briggs), a gay musician who has just moved into her apartment building, has been stabbed to death in what might have been a hate crime. Ellen hints at the fact that she was there when Luke was killed, but Claude keeps her mouth shut in order to protect her. Claude then goes to a gay bar and meets Lucy (Leisha Hailey), a pink-haired guitarist who is playing in the house band. Claude goes to Lucy’s apartment, but freaks out and leaves, returning to her apartment to find Ellen waiting for her. They have a fight which ends with Claude screaming that she would die without Ellen.
Claude goes out along with Ellen and Mark on one of their dates; Mark gives Ellen downers which make her violently ill. Claude brings her to the bathroom and forces her to vomit, and Ellen refers to Claude as her “Knight in Shining Armor.” Mark is visibly furious but manages to contain himself. Claude leaves and goes to Lucy’s apartment again, but leaves after a brief make-out session. On the way home, Claude is ambushed in the street by Mark, who questions her relationship with Ellen. Claude threatens to tell the police about Mark’s possible involvement in Luke’s death.
Claude goes home to find Ellen waiting for her. Claude tells her that they need to tell the police about Mark, but Ellen says she would go to jail if they knew about her involvement. Claude says she would never let that happen. Claude kisses Ellen and tells her that she loves her. Ellen tells Claude not to say that, and Claude leaves.
All Over Me is a 1997 drama film directed by Alex Sichel and written by her sister, Sylvia Sichel. Alex Sichel received a grant from the Princess Grace Foundation to make a film about the riot grrrl music scene and then asked her sister to collaborate with her. The soundtrack featured musicians and bands such as Ani DiFranco, Sleater-Kinney, Babes in Toyland and many more.
All Over Me won the Teddy Award for Best Feature Film at the 1997 Berlin International Film Festival. It was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival, the Open Palm Award at the 1997 Gotham Awards and the Outstanding Film (Limited Release) Award at the 1998 GLAAD Media Awards. Alison Folland was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead.
The film score for All Over me was composed by Miki Navazio. The soundtrack to the film was released on the TVT label on April 29, 1997. It features songs from several indie and riot grrl musicians interspersed with parts of Navazio’s score.
The MPAA gave All Over Me an R rating for sexuality and drug use involving teen girls, and for strong language. The film premiered at the 1997 Berlin International Film Festival where it played in the Panorama section. It went on to show at several festivals including the 1997 Turin International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival and the 1998 Lisbon Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. It opened in American theaters on April 25, 1997 distributed by Fine Line Features. It was released in Australian theaters on February 19, 1998.
All Over Me (1997)
Directed by: Alex Sichel
Starring: Alison Folland, Tara Subkoff, Cole Hauser, Wilson Cruz, Leisha Hailey, Pat Briggs, Ann Dowd, Gene Canfield, Shawn Hatosy, Aaron Harpold, John Ottavino
Screenplay by: Sylvia Sichel
Production Design by: Amy Beth Silver
Cinematography by: Joe DeSalvo
Film Editing by: Sabine Hoffmann
Costume Design by: Kevin Donaldson, Victoria Farrell
Art Direction by: Kristen Vallow
Music by: Leisha Hailey, Miki Navazio
MPAA Rating: R for sexuality and drug use involving teen girls, and for strong language.
Distributed by: Fine Line Features
Release Date: July 16, 1997
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