2. The Politics of Difference in Films
Race
Gender
Sexual Preference
The issue here is whether Hollywood-made or
other types of films can directly confront these
types of issues -- and, if so, under what conditions.
3. The Politics of Sexual Preference in
Films
How are gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transsexuals
(GLBTs) represented in films?
What sorts of stories about GLBTs get made into
films?
Do GLBTs have positions of power in the making of
Hollywood films (or other types of films)?
5. Serious Films That Deal with
Male Homosexuality
The Boys in the Band
(1970)
Kiss of the Spider
Woman (1985)
Maurice (1987)
Philadelphia (1993)
The Bird Cage (1996)
Midnight in the Garden
of Good and Evil (1997)
Wilde (1997)
6. Common Themes in Serious Films
about Gays
Risk of AIDS
monogamous relationships vs. promiscuity
violations of civil rights of gays
change in the legal environment
staying in the closet vs. defiance of laws outlawing
homosexuality
coming out of the closet in a more permissive
environment
7. Films about Lesbians
The Children’s Hour (1961)
Personal Best (1982)
Lianna (1983)
Basic Instinct (1992)
Claire of the Moon (1992)
Chasing Amy (1997) <>
8. Famous Gay Actors
Peter Lorre
Laurence Olivier
Tony Curtis
Rock Hudson
Raymond Burr
Anthony Perkins
Ian McKellen
9. Famous Lesbian Actresses
Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich
Tallulah Bankhead
Louise Brooks
Lily Tomlin
Anne Heche
Drew Barrymore
Angelina Jolie
10. Openly Gay Directors
John Waters
Pink Flamingos
Female Trouble
Polyester
Hairspray
Serial Mom
Andy Warhol Edith Marshall
Divine
Heat
11. Openly Lesbian Directors
Dorothy Arzner (Working Girls, The Bride Wore Red)
Sally Potter (Tango Lessons, Orlando)
Rose Troche (Go Fish)
Patricia Rozema (Personal Best, Lianna, Desert
Hearths)
Monika Treut (Seduction: The Cruel Woman, My
Father is Coming)
12. Issues in the Politics of Difference in
Hollywood Films
Misrepresentation
Under-representation
Too many cliches about the group in stories chosen
for films
Need for a greater variety of voices in the media
generally vs. the essentially commercial motivations
of the industry