Working Girls (1986 film)

Production

The film was the second feature film directed by Lizzie Borden. Working Girls depicts the lives of sex workers, maintains some of the stylistic and thematic features of her debut, but is more mainstream in its approach. The film was inspired by some of the women who participated in the making of Born in Flames, who coincidentally supported themselves through prostitution. Although Working Girls addresses the subject of prostitution in great detail, Borden prefers the film to be discussed as a narrative fiction film rather than as a documentary. The film was intended to be a "back-stage" look at prostitution. In a New York Times review, Vincent Canby writes, "Working Girls, though a work of fiction, sounds as authentic as might a documentary about coal miners. " The film portrays prostitution as an often tedious, sometimes depressing, occasionally interesting or funny job. The main character, Molly, claims to have a degree from Yale University and is a lesbian in her private life.

Borden wrote, directed, and produced the film and it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in the Director's Fortnight. The film won Best Feature at the Sundance Film Festival and was sold and then distributed by Miramax Films.