Essays on Queer Filmmakers & Films
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There are a number of queer filmmakers working outside the Hollywood studios who have re-imagined classical Hollywood presentations of homosexuals, which were either rendered invisible or pathological by a majority of previous Hollywood films. Films from Directors like Todd Haynes and Gus Van Sant demonstrate a broader range of characterizations, issues, and expressions of homosexuals than former generations of filmmakers. While the intent of such re-imaginings is to liberate homosexuals from the limiting and stereotypical images of the past, this new breed of director also raises new images and issues that are characteristic of contemporary homosexuals and society. We see this in HaynesÆ ôFar From Heaven,ö which basically traps us within the stiflingly oppressive and destructive norms and values of 1950s American society, and it is evident in Van SantÆs ôMy Own Private Idaho,ö which explores the damaged psyche and drifting need for love within the homosexual community through Mike Waters. This analysis will discuss the liberating imagery in the works of queer filmmakers, but also demonstrate how new issues and images are offered not only to liberate from the past but to challenge the future. In ôFar From Heaven,ö Todd Haynes provides an objective portrait of the values, norms, and attitudes of 1950s society that reinvents the eraÆs homophobia, racism, and stereotypes in a way that permits reflection. In this reflection, we are a
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hape both genre and meaning, ôThe numerous erotic scenes between Jon and Luke simultaneously signal porn as cinematic pleasure and a site of self-recognition for this sexually identified community. Hot sex is a crucial, and political, aspect of an AIDS narrative, especially to contrast gay cinema from the Hollywood AIDS filmÆs habit of portraying a celibate and sick protagonist.ö While this may be true, ôPhiladelphiaö certainly did more to expose the dangers of racism and homophobia and racism on society in general than would be possible in a film depicting numerous sex scenes with multiple partners.
However, New Queer Cinema is often dedicated to a depiction of metamorphosis that uses graphic and often brutal realities of homosexual culture in order to shed off the oppressive carcass of past media portrayals and social values. We see this occur when Jon in ôThe Living Endö maintains he feels like he has fallen through the other side of the ôlooking glass.ö This simile does more than refer to AliceÆs downward spiral in ôAlice in Wonderland.ö According to Mills (313-314) it represents the journey of new discovery, new identity, and new meaning that must be forged by homosexuals to reclaim themselves from heterosexual and lim
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Queer Cinema, Black Latino, Van Sant, Van SantÆs, According Mills, Burningö Hooks, Todd Haynes, Private Idahoö, Burningö Butler, Marlene Dietrich, white middle-class, queer cinema, van sant, ôparis burningö, queer filmmakers, gay sensibility, ômy own private, own private, ômy own, van santÆs, ôfar heavenö, own private idahoö, ôhedwig angry inchö, white middle-class society, black latino homosexuals,
Approximate Word count = 4859
Approximate Pages = 19 (250 words per page)
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