‘She was different from anybody I’d ever met.’ First love. The confusion of being young. The documentary short Jenny offers a rare glimpse into the queer youth of 1977 Australia.

Jenny, a teenage girl in a lesbian relationship, gives an honest account of her experiences. Reflecting on uncertain feelings about boys and the awe of finally meeting the right person, this direct-to-camera interview is at once intimate and unsentimental.

Jenny’s story forms part of the series Growing Up, directed by Jan Sharp and produced by Film Australia, which documents the lives of everyday youth. Subjects are given the opportunity to speak about their social scenes in their own words. As Jenny describes what it means to live as a young lesbian and to seek truly requited love, the footage feels both ahead of its time and deeply resonant.

Stream Jenny on NFSA Player