New Queer Cinema & Representation of Homosexuals in Film
- Mar 3, 2016
- 2 min read
New Queer Cinema
Began in the 1990s
Films that explore the subversion of traditional sexuality, including but not limited to: gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender
They also convey themes such as rejection from society and the struggles of living as an LGBT
Protagonists are often the LGBT themselves, and they are portrayed as an outsider, embracing their unconventional gender roles and neglect from society
The New Queer Cinema draws from the postmodernist and poststructuralist theories – they believe that sexuality is perhaps not innate, but socially constructed, fluid and changeable, therefore not 'fixed' and 'born with'
In these films, sexuality is also portrayed as a subversive force that alienates the minority and brutally repressed them
Many of these films were made at the time when gay rights were vigorously promoted
Notable LGBT directors: Rose Troche and Travis Matthews
Examples
But I'm a Cheerleader (1999)
It tells the story of Megan, a bright, girly cheerleader who is in fact, a lesbian. Her parents send her to a camp called True Directions, which promise to help its campers to convert back to a heteosexual. Like most LGBT films, the protagonist is confused and scared upon discovering their sexuality, but later embraces that this is a part of her and comes to terms with it. One of the most notable theme in this film is not only the sexuality of different characters, but also the conventional gender roles and social construction. Megan intially fits into the traditional 'feminine' female character, but later she transforms and subverts her own gender role when she no longer wears her pink and preppy outfit, but a baggy, camouflage jumpsuit, which is traditionally seen as 'masculine.'
Blue is the Warmest Colour (2013)
A lot like other conventional films about LGBT, Blue is the Warmest Colour follows a girl called Adele who is also confused, embarrassed, and denying her homosexuality in the beginning. She tries to fit in with the people around her despite the fact that there is a clear barrier between her and her friends once she's troubled by her own sexuality. Later, Adele meets an art student named Emma, and builds a friendship and relationship with her. There is a 'mentor' in every LGBT film, where he or she introduces and guides the protagonist into a new world that subverts the conventional society, and Emma is that 'mentor.'
Overall
I began researching and watching films from the Queer Cinema because there is gay character in my film. Although my film is not stressing upon the experience and struggles of a LGBT, I understand that when I put a character into my film, I am representing them in a particular way that will spread a message to the audience.
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