Gay & Lesbian Times: What is your background and how did you get involved in making this film?

Betsy Kalin: Well, I am a filmmaker. I got my MFA in directing, and did five or six short films before working on [Hearts]. My partner is very interested in tantra. She had done some in her past and was interested in learning more, but we couldn’t find anyone who was willing to teach lesbians. All of the books [we found] said one of us had to be the guy. Then we took a workshop at the GLBT center in L.A. with Marsha Singer – she is a straight woman who had a specific interest in teaching lesbian and bisexual women about the benefits of tantra. I learned that it’s spiritual, sexual, fun, and really good for deepening a relationship. And a year later we couldn’t find anyone else teaching lesbians except Marsha, so I knew I really needed to make the film. I knew people were interested, but felt weird enrolling in standard, heterosexual workshops.

GLT: What are some of the benefits of tantric practice?

BK: One of the benefits, and really its traditional purpose, is for enlightenment; and in Western Tantra, people of all religious backgrounds can incorporate the spirituality, or not, into their own preferred path. It’s really a practice of self-awareness and personal transformation. For me, I’m disabled and have a lot of chronic pain, and tantra has been really good for getting energy moving in my body. That’s one benefit that people don’t know about … One benefit for lesbians is that oftentimes nobody talks about lesbian relationships and sexuality – but this practice builds that communication. It builds sexual energy together and connectedness within a relationship. So no more lesbian bed death – that’s my goal!

GLT: What has the response been to the film?

BK: The response has been wonderful, really positive. A big section of the film deals with sexual abuse and chronic pain, and how tantric practice can [help in healing] those issues. I think people laugh up to that point [of the film] and then start crying, because it is a big release. I get a lot of emails from women who have been victims of sexual abuse who say they really identified with the film. And a lot of people just love how sexy and fun it is.

GLT: Why should festival-goers not miss your film?

BK: I think they’ll have a really wonderful time, enjoy themselves, and learn something to take home and enjoy. And best of all, the lasting effects will go on for days.