A Comedy in Six Unnatural Acts

A Comedy in Six Unnatural Acts

1975 · 27 min · ★ 7.0 · Comedy

Jan Oxenberg’s charmingly raw, politically-charged and remarkably funny celebration of the American lesbian experience validates the nuanced voice of a community otherwise underrepresented in the Wild West of mid-’70s independent filmmaking. In an attempt to combat the pervasive misconception of the “humorless, angry feminist,” the vignettes in A Comedy in Six Unnatural Acts experiment with self-aware yet playful depictions of common stereotypes, such as the “Stompin’ Dyke” or the butch-femme couple. In the process, Oxenberg’s short film reclaims those insults and assumptions as newfound, loaded weapons—to deploy on her own terms, of course. (UCLA Film & Television Archive)

Directed by Jan Oxenberg · Written by Jan Oxenberg

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Streaming

Criterion Channel

Cast

Make it a double feature

55m together

A Comedy in Six Unnatural Acts

Greetings from Washington, D.C.

Both from Jan Oxenberg.

More from Jan OxenbergSee all →

Greetings from Washington, D.C.Greetings from Washington, D.C. · 1981
Greetings from Washington, D.C.
9.01981
MovieDocumentary
A short documentary about the First National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, which took place on Sunday, October 14th 1979.
I'm Not One Of 'EmI'm Not One Of 'Em · 1974
I'm Not One Of 'Em
9.01974
Movie
A women interviews a roller derby skater.
WomanhouseWomanhouse · 1974
Womanhouse
8.01974
MovieDocumentary
Held in 1972 at 533 N. Mariposa Street, Los Angeles was one of the most important cultural events in the United States: "Womanhouse," a feminist art installation and performance space organized by Judy Chicago and Miriam Schapiro.
Pretty Little LiarsPretty Little Liars · 2010
Pretty Little Liars
8.02010
SeriesDramaMystery
Based on the Pretty Little Liars series of young adult novels by Sara Shepard, the series follows the lives of four girls — Spencer, Hanna, Aria, and Emily — whose clique falls apart after the disappearance of their queen bee, Alison. One year later, they begin receiving messages from someone using the name "A" who threatens to expose their secrets — including long-hidden ones they thought only Alison knew.
Cold CaseCold Case · 2003
Cold Case
7.72003
SeriesCrimeDrama
The Philadelphia homicide squad's lone female detective finds her calling when she is assigned cases that have never been solved. Detective Lilly Rush combines her natural instincts with the updated technology available today to bring about justice for all the victims she can.
RoswellRoswell · 1999
Roswell
7.71999
SeriesSci-Fi & FantasyDrama
Bizarre things start happening in the little New Mexico town where UFOs were spotted in 1947. Cut to 1999, when a cute high-school student saves the life of a teenage waitress. Surrounded by cliques of clever, angst-filled classmates, the two form a bond that threatens the survival of a secret universe involving superhuman powers, a yen for hot sauce and an alien gene pool.
RakeRake · 2010
Rake
7.52010
SeriesDramaComedy
Cleaver Greene is not about politics or morality or even justice. Cleaver Greene is about the law. And it is his passion for the law that drives him to use his formidable intelligence to defend people whom society and the justice system might otherwise convict without a fair trial. He uses his encyclopaedic knowledge of human nature and the Byzantine intricacies of our legal codes to guarantee that his clients get what is theirs by the law; the right to a diligent defence.
The Celluloid ClosetThe Celluloid Closet · 1996
The Celluloid Closet
7.21996
MovieDocumentaryHistory
Exuberant, eye-opening movie that serves up a dazzling hundred-year history of the role of gay men and lesbians have had on the silver screen. Film contains fabulous footage from 120 films showing the changing face of cinema sexuality, from cruel stereotypes to covert love to the activist triumphs of the 1990s.
One of Us Is LyingOne of Us Is Lying · 2021
One of Us Is Lying
7.22021
SeriesDramaMystery
The story of what happens when five high schoolers walk into detention and only four make it out alive. Everyone is a suspect, and everyone has something to hide.
Call Me Crazy: A Five FilmCall Me Crazy: A Five Film · 2013
Call Me Crazy: A Five Film
7.02013
MovieDrama
A psychotherapist helps a law student cope with schizophrenia in one of five interconnected tales dealing with mental illness.
Thank You and Good NightThank You and Good Night · 1992
Thank You and Good Night
7.01992
MovieDocumentary
Blending humor and tragedy, filmmaker Jan Oxenberg goes on a personal journey to process the aging and death of her grandmother.
ManhuntManhunt · 2024
Manhunt
6.92024
SeriesDramaCrime
A conspiracy thriller about one of the best known but least understood crimes in history. This is the astonishing story of the hunt for John Wilkes Booth in the aftermath of Abraham Lincoln's assassination—as the fate of the country hangs in the balance.
American PlayhouseAmerican Playhouse · 1982
American Playhouse
6.61982
SeriesDramaComedy
American Playhouse is an anthology television series periodically broadcast by Public Broadcasting Service in the United States.
Home MovieHome Movie · 1974
Home Movie
5.51974
MovieDocumentary
Filmmaker Jan Oxenberg narrates her own home videos, commenting on how her views towards lesbianism and femininity have evolved over time.

More Like This

FreshFresh · 2022
Fresh
6.92022
MovieHorrorThriller
Frustrated by scrolling dating apps only to end up on lame, tedious dates, Noa takes a chance by giving her number to the awkwardly charming Steve after a produce-section meet-cute at the grocery store.
The Forty-Year-Old VersionThe Forty-Year-Old Version · 2020
The Forty-Year-Old Version
6.72020
MovieComedyDrama
Desperate for a breakthrough as she nears the big 4-0, struggling New York City playwright Radha finds inspiration by reinventing herself as a rapper.
D.E.B.S.D.E.B.S. · 2005
D.E.B.S.
6.52005
MovieActionComedy
The star of a team of teenage crime fighters falls for the alluring villainess she must bring to justice.
Bridget Jones's DiaryBridget Jones's Diary · 2001
Bridget Jones's Diary
6.72001
MovieComedyRomance
Bridget Jones is an average woman struggling against expectations. As a New Year's resolution, Bridget decides to take control of her life, starting by keeping a diary in which she will always tell the complete truth. Her charming boss takes an interest in her, and she cannot stop running into a rather disagreeable acquaintance whom Bridget cannot help finding quietly attractive.
Bend It Like BeckhamBend It Like Beckham · 2002
Bend It Like Beckham
6.32002
MovieComedyDrama
Jess Bhamra, the daughter of a strict Indian couple in London, is not permitted to play organized soccer, even though she is 18. When Jess is playing for fun one day, her impressive skills are seen by Jules Paxton, who then convinces Jess to play for her semi-pro team. Jess uses elaborate excuses to hide her matches from her family while also dealing with her romantic feelings for her coach, Joe.
Monsoon WeddingMonsoon Wedding · 2001
Monsoon Wedding
6.82001
MovieComedyDrama
A stressed father, a bride-to-be with a secret, a smitten event planner, and relatives from around the world create much ado about the preparations for an arranged marriage in India.
The Forest for the TreesThe Forest for the Trees · 2004
The Forest for the Trees
6.62004
MovieComedyDrama
As an awkward idealistic high school teacher begins her first job in the city, things turn out to be much tougher than she had imagined.
27 Dresses27 Dresses · 2008
27 Dresses
6.52008
MovieComedyRomance
Altruistic Jane finds herself facing her worst nightmare as her younger sister announces her engagement to the man Jane secretly adores.
Me and You and Everyone We KnowMe and You and Everyone We Know · 2005
Me and You and Everyone We Know
7.02005
MovieComedyDrama
Single dad Richard meets Christine, a starving artist who moonlights as a cabbie. They awkwardly attempt to start a romance, but Richard’s divorce has left him emotionally damaged. Meanwhile, Richard’s sons—one a teenager, the other 6-years-old—take part in clumsy experiments with the opposite sex.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter