Celebrating 40 years of NZ film: The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls (2009)

Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls.

To mark the 40th anniversary of the New Zealand Film Commission, NZ On Screen brings us the stories behind some of our most notable local films.

Part concept film, part biopic, part historical record and part comedy, Untouchable Girls was made to mark the Topp Twins' 50th birthday.

New Zealand's favourite comedic, country singing, dancing and yodeling lesbian sisters tell their personal story: from their "coming out" to Jools' brush with breast cancer.

The film features archive material, home movies and interviews with the Topps' alter-egos.

Alongside local box office success and dozens of international awards, Untouchable Girls won the People's Choice best doco gong at 2009 Toronto Film Festival.

Here director Leanne Pooley outlines the Twins' significance to New Zealand history.

You can watch the trailer for The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls here:

See more great New Zealand film moments here, in NZ On Screen's Film Commission Collection.