Hyde Park Pick: The Films of Sarah Jacobson

In 1993, Sarah Jacobson made her debut short film, I Was A Teenage Serial Killer, with a modest budget of just $1,000. Lo-fi, black-and-white and written, directed, and self-distributed by Sarah, it earned her the title The Queen of Underground Cinema from acclaimed critic Roger Ebert. She went on to direct music videos for San Francisco punk bands, film a documentary on the making of Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains, and her only feature film, Mary Jane’s Not a Virgin Anymore, which premiered to a sold-out audience at Sundance. Tragically, after completing the script for her next feature about an all-female punk band on tour, Sarah passed away from uterine cancer at just 32. Even in her final months, her dedication to promoting women filmmakers and her fierce DIY ethos remained intact as she organised retrospectives of her work and championed the films of her friends. 

What remains of Sarah’s career is a small but powerful body of work that perfectly captures her spirit: bold, rebellious, and rooted in the empowerment of women. I Was A Teenage Serial Killer is a satirical horror film that follows a young woman who murders the men harassing, catcalling, or mistreating her. Kristin Calabrese delivers a raw performance, embodying the character's detached nonchalance. With music by Heavens to Betsy and shot on gritty 16mm, the film is frank and unflinching, shining a spotlight on the everyday aggressions faced by women and girls.

Mary Jane’s Not a Virgin Anymore takes a less murderous but equally hard-hitting approach to the painful experiences of teenage girls. Opening with a scene where Mary Jane loses her virginity in a decidedly unromantic way, the film unfolds as an anti-rom-com, with Mary Jane seeking advice from her outsider colleagues at the local cinema about their own sexual experiences. Released at a time when teen films were dominated by the male gaze, Jacobson’s camera lingered on the candid, unfiltered conversations of her female characters. Far from shying away from discussions of sex, these raw exchanges explore heavy topics like abuse, unplanned pregnancy, and homophobia. 

What struck me most about Sarah’s films when I first encountered them was her unflinching commitment to reality. There’s no Hollywood gloss - just raw, real stories delivered with a no-nonsense attitude. Her commitment to DIY ethos is something that continues to inspire me in my own curation. Every interview she did or event she spoke at acted like a call to arms to support independent cinema; something that is embodied by the Leeds DIY scene.

I’m honoured to be able to screen this restoration of two of Sarah’s films at HPPH, whilst paying homage to her main inspirations “punk rock bands and scummy zines” through a zine workshop with Rosie McAndrew and raising money for the Eve Appeal. 

Much of the conversation around Sarah’s work focuses on her potential; what she might have achieved had she lived longer. While it's natural to wonder, I think it’s equally important to appreciate the artistry in what she did accomplish, to honour the work she did create, and to keep her name and legacy alive.

The Films of Sarah Jacobson is taking place at HPPH on Sunday 29 September at 14:00. Find out more and book tickets here.