by Sticky Toffee Pudding Pictures by Christa Holka

Well well well, haven’t we at TMC got a treat for you lucky readers. Whilst swanning around the BFI during LLGFF week I was fortunate enough to grab a quick interview with a certain Ms Deak Evgenikos. It was all kinds of awesome.Itty Bitty Titty fans will know Deak has the sort of laid back easygoing charm that make most girls weak at the knees. Upon first meeting her I had to suppress my swoon as she asked me if I wanted something to drink in her light New Jersey accent.  And her kick-ass attitude to life fills you with the type of respect and admiration that hails butterflies. Standing in the lift with her and her friend Karliin I listened in awe to their conversation about thongs and ‘Level Five Clingers’ (Karliin had some excellent advice on this by the way ladies) Anyway I was just a little starstruck. I’m sure all you Itty Bitty Titty fans will appreciate this one.

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In The Owls you play the role of Cricket, the murdered baby dyke. What was the appeal of the film to you and how did you get involved?

Deak: Um, wow. I don’t even know where to begin to answer that, so many things attracted me to this film. The fact I would be working with lesbian icons, the fact I could potentially change people’s lives and help them through this movie was wonderful and a once in a life time experience. I loved talking about our community’s issues; I loved our hates, our disagreements, our common ground. I really think The Owls was a forum for freedom and discovery. It’s so much fun to love your work and I do.

In an interview with Go Magazine back in 2008 you said in the future you saw queer film diversifying and the diversity of the community being ‘fully represented’. Do you think that’s happened yet?

Deak: I think its happening more, its progress not perfection. I’ve seen some films here (at the LLGFF) that are extremely progressive, covering transgender issues or sex industry issues and I think that’s fantastic. Everyone should have a voice; we’re all fighting for the same thing in the end.

The Owls and Hooters both explore the idea that there is no longer a unified ‘space’ within the lesbian community and that there is in actual fact a friction between older and younger lesbians. Do you think such a friction exists in real life?

Deak: I do, and you know this idea of transgender has really changed our community. It’s really made us re-evaluate our sexuality. Butches paved the way for trans men in our community and there are now butches that think they’re a dying breed and that causes friction. But one shouldn’t outcast transgender people. These are our young butch lesbians, it’s our people that are doing that and it doesn’t meant that once they have a mastectomy or start taking testorone they are no longer a part of our community.
I also think the younger generation has it a little bit easier; please don’t get me wrong there’s still a long way to go but I’m so very grateful for what we do have; on television, in theatre, in office… Now we have some out gay politicians, news casters, actors, movies, plot-lines, plays, the world is accepting us in a way that it didn’t in yesteryear which is great, but there’s still a long way to go. By all means we do not have the freedom that we should but I think wer’re getting there and if we continue to fight, talk about it, love ourselves and each other we’ll get there.

You mentioned more visibility, which iconic people, movies etc within queer culture do you think have impacted on you?

Deak: Guinerve Turner is someone that helped me a lot in my career, that I’m forever greatful for and she’s really impacted on my work. Clea Duvall is definitely a role model for me as an actor. Her acting is amazing and I think she’s always true to herself whether she’s wearing a skirt or not. I don’t know if she’s gay or not but she has made queer cinema. Jamie Babbitt, Ellen of course and you know, everyone, every powerful woman.

You’re often typecast as butch, do you think the roles you play on camera impact on ‘the roles’ you might play elsewhere? I mean how would you say playing ‘butch’ effects you in your personal life?

Deak: It helps me to get the women I’m attracted to. (chuckles slyly) I love working; I don’t identify as a butch lesbian, I identify as queer and I’m very proud of my feminitiy and my masculinity. I think the most attractive quality a human being can possess is mastering both the masculine and the feminine and balancing that and theres nothing more attractive for me so I strive to do that in my personal life as well as my roles, typecast or not.

And finally, what’s your favourite cake?

Deak: My friend Karliin Brookes makes a vegan German chocolate cake that is absolutrely out of this world. I also love a vegan red velvet, just the colour, I love a red velevet.

The OWLs and HOOTERS will be released on 6th June by Pecadillo Press. For all you eager beavers you can preorder from Amazon right here.