According to Epstein and Friedman, the engagement of America’s film industry with ho- mosexuality in general has always been a sensitive issue and still is up to today. Although quite a few people working in Hollywood, “in all aspects of moviemaking, from producing to performing”, are openly homosexual, the industry’s main players are still reluctant to intensively approach this “prime phobia in Hollywood” (Hilliard 9).
From the first signs of homosexuality in Dickson’s “Dickson Experimental Sound film” (1895) over to the restrictive Hays Code in the 30s on to influential modern movies such as Demme’s Philadelphia (1993) or Lee’s Brokeback Mountain (2005), there are plenty of examples of Hollywood’s varying engagement with homosexual issues.
In the course of this paper, I will not only analyze the depiction of homosexuality in these movies, but also describe society’s reactions to these works. Of course, there have been harsh reactions to movies presenting homosexuality not as something to be feared of. Especially Christian groups have always blamed respective movies for depicting “deviant” behavior, as well as conservative politicians and media.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Hollywood's "Gay History"
- 3. The Western: Where Homosexuality Did Not Exist
- 3.1. Of Masculinity and Other Values
- 3.2. The Depiction of Male Relations
- 4. Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain: An “Anti-Western” Western
- 4.1 A Western or Not?
- 4.2 The Depiction of Homosexuality
- 4.3 Societal Reception
- 5. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to examine the ambivalent portrayal of homosexuality in Hollywood cinema throughout history and analyze the societal reactions to these depictions. It focuses on the evolution of representations, contrasting the absence of homosexuality in the Western genre with its depiction in films like Brokeback Mountain. The paper also explores the interplay between film and society's evolving attitudes towards homosexuality.
- The historical depiction of homosexuality in Hollywood films.
- The absence of homosexuality in the Western genre and its underlying societal values.
- An analysis of Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain as a case study.
- Societal responses to films depicting homosexuality.
- The interplay between film representations and societal attitudes.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by highlighting the historical underrepresentation and stereotypical portrayal of homosexuality in Hollywood cinema. It introduces the sensitive nature of Hollywood's engagement with homosexuality, noting the discrepancy between the presence of openly gay individuals within the industry and its reluctance to portray homosexuality realistically on screen. The chapter lays the groundwork for a study examining both the depiction of homosexuality in films and the subsequent societal responses. It briefly mentions key films like Philadelphia and Brokeback Mountain and introduces the paper's core objectives: to analyze the depiction of homosexuality in selected films, along with societal reactions to them, and to use the Western genre as a contrasting example of the absence of homosexual representation.
2. Hollywood's "Gay History": This chapter traces the early representations of homosexuality in American cinema, starting with Dickson's Experimental Sound Film (1895) and moving through the early 20th century. It examines how "queer" behavior was initially used for comedic effect, often relying on stereotypes and clichés. The chapter analyzes the emergence of the "sissy" character as a common trope, highlighting how it reinforced societal norms and expectations. It also discusses films like A Florida Enchantment (1914), Behind the Screen (1916), and Morocco (1930), illustrating how subtle or overt references to homosexuality were handled, often playing into prevailing societal biases or being strategically used for other narrative purposes. The chapter further touches upon the challenges faced by early attempts at forming pro-homosexuality movements and how Hollywood responded to pressures from conservative groups and the impact of censorship.
3. The Western: Where Homosexuality Did Not Exist: This chapter explores the Western genre, focusing on its historical absence of homosexual representation as a reflection of its inherent conservative values. By examining the portrayal of male relationships within Westerns, it implicitly highlights the dominant ideology of masculinity and its exclusion of homosexual relationships. The chapter serves as a counterpoint to the subsequent analysis of Brokeback Mountain, allowing for a comparative understanding of how different cinematic genres reflect and perpetuate societal norms and expectations regarding gender and sexuality. The exploration of masculinity in Westerns provides context for later chapters by demonstrating the strong societal norms against non-heterosexual relationships that existed and influenced cinematic portrayals.
4. Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain: An “Anti-Western” Western: This chapter undertakes a detailed analysis of Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain, examining its depiction of a male homosexual relationship within the context of the Western genre. It considers the film's deconstruction or subversion of traditional Western tropes and values. The chapter delves into societal reception of the movie, considering the range of responses from critical acclaim to harsh criticism, demonstrating how the film challenged long-standing norms and provoked discussions about homosexuality in society. The analysis will likely explore how the film's portrayal of the relationship and its themes differed from earlier representations of homosexuality in Hollywood.
Keywords
Homosexuality, Hollywood cinema, film history, Western genre, masculinity, societal attitudes, Brokeback Mountain, representation, stereotypes, censorship, gay liberation.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the topic of this academic paper?
This paper examines the portrayal of homosexuality in Hollywood cinema, focusing on its historical evolution and societal impact. It uses Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain as a key case study, contrasting its representation of homosexuality with the near-total absence of such depictions in the Western genre. The paper analyzes how film reflects and shapes societal attitudes towards homosexuality.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the historical depiction of homosexuality in Hollywood (including stereotypical representations and the use of censorship); the absence of homosexuality in Westerns and its connection to dominant societal values; a detailed analysis of Brokeback Mountain as a subversion of Western conventions; societal responses to films depicting homosexuality; and the interplay between film representations and societal attitudes toward homosexuality.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into five chapters. Chapter 1 provides an introduction, laying the groundwork for the analysis. Chapter 2 traces the historical representation of homosexuality in Hollywood cinema, highlighting the use of stereotypes and comedic portrayals. Chapter 3 explores the absence of homosexual representation in the Western genre and its connection to dominant societal values. Chapter 4 provides a detailed analysis of Brokeback Mountain, exploring its unique position as an "anti-Western" and its societal impact. Chapter 5 concludes the paper.
What specific films are analyzed in the paper?
The paper primarily focuses on Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain as a case study. However, it also mentions and briefly discusses other films, including Philadelphia, Dickson's Experimental Sound Film (1895), A Florida Enchantment (1914), Behind the Screen (1916), and Morocco (1930) to illustrate different periods and styles of representation.
What is the paper's methodology?
The paper employs a thematic analysis, examining the evolution of homosexual representation in Hollywood cinema and comparing and contrasting different genres and films. It considers the societal context of each period and analyzes the societal responses to specific films to understand the complex interplay between film and society.
What are the main conclusions or arguments of the paper?
The paper argues that Hollywood's portrayal of homosexuality has been historically ambivalent, marked by stereotypes and censorship. It highlights the stark contrast between the near-absence of homosexual representation in the Western genre and the groundbreaking portrayal in Brokeback Mountain. The paper concludes by emphasizing the significant role of film in reflecting and shaping societal attitudes towards homosexuality.
What are the key words associated with this paper?
Key words include: Homosexuality, Hollywood cinema, film history, Western genre, masculinity, societal attitudes, Brokeback Mountain, representation, stereotypes, censorship, gay liberation.
- Quote paper
- Simon Brandl (Author), 2012, The Depiction of Homosexuality in US-American Movies and Its Reception in Society, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/337201
