Each year I make it a point to watch the latest LGBT documentaries. Some of the most intriguing, informative and eye opening films emerge from the world of the documentary filmmaker. The best of 2016 will surely encourage all of us to get on Netflix, go to You Tube, check out Amazon and Wolfe Video.  I just googled The Advocate and, as a believer in what their film critics determine, I pulled up  The Advocate list of the 10 Best LGBT Documentary of 2015.

Ten incredible films were listed and notably only two of the ten were lesbian themed.  If you haven’t seen Tig, you absolutely must. It is open, raw, and one of those films you will watch more than once. You will never miss a Tig Notaro performance ever again.

Also listed was The Royal Road. The best description was written by The Advocate.

“One of the year’s most poetic documentaries comes from filmmaker Jenni Olson, who in addition to her cinematic contributions, is known as one of the founders of PlanetOut.com. Olson calls her new film, The Royal Road, “a cinematic essay in defense of remembering” as well as “a primer on the Spanish colonization of California and the Mexican American War alongside intimate reflections on nostalgia, butch identity, the pursuit of unavailable women and Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo — all against a contemplative backdrop of 16mm urban California landscapes, and featuring a voice-over cameo by Tony Kushner.” What’s not to love?”

There are many reasons to watch The Royal Road. Honestly, I’ve seen it three times and each time discovered something new. As a film producer I am always watching any film for its magical unfolding. Well, Jenni nailed it. With the use of 16mm to bring the film to life, brave and I do mean brave filming is as much a character in the film as the scenery and brilliant narrative. Any student of film should see it for this alone. Every women who pursued the “unavailable woman” should see this. OMG, that means we should all see it. Right?

The film critic in me highly encourages you to see this film. THE ROYAL ROAD will be released via Wolfe Video on September 6th on DVD / VOD, across all digital platforms including iTunes, Vimeo On Demand, and WolfeOnDemand.com, and will also be available same date on DVD via Wolfe Video and many major retailers.

Jan Miller Corran is a psychologist,  screenwriter, author, playwright, and producer of over 20 films. She is CEO of Three Women in a Box Films LLC,  and CEO of More Than Friends Film Funding.

Read more about this film on Epochalips: Lesbian Travelers on the Royal Road