This is a blog assignment, most currently for the students of Sexuality in Cinema in the Media Communication program at Lawrence Technological University in Detroit, Michigan. Welcome!
Blog Editor & Course Instructor: Joy C. Schaefer
Course Description: An intersectional study of the representation of sexualities, sexual minorities, and gender minorities in U.S. and global cinemas. We will delve into classic Hollywood cinema, the “New Queer Cinema” movement, European art house cinema, Latin American film, and “transnational” cinemas. As we unpack assumptions about sexed bodies, sexual desires, gender identities, and sexual identities, we will examine the ways in which films uphold and/or subvert the status quo in regards to gender and sexual norms.
Assignment: In 1300-1500 words, write a scholarly review of a film that deals with sexuality, gender, and/or LGBTQIA+ issues (or one that we are retrospectively able to ‘queer’)—preferably one that has an introduction and/or Q&A, is part of a series, screens in an independent venue, and/or is part of a film festival. View a film at home via a “virtual cinema” platform.
- Include the basics (what, where, when)
- The film(s) themselves: director, year, production company, nation/location, setting
- The films program, festival, or series and/or Q&A/intro if relevant
- Describe the “virtual as local”
- Describe and review the virtual screening venue (e.g. ease of use, visual appeal)
- Recount how the experience of virtual cinema-going differs from in-person cinema-going
- Explain if and how the virtual platform represents a particular city or location and/or makes you feel like you’re part of the community the website claims to represent
- Offer your evaluative review of the film, including commentary on any of the following: acting, story, cinematography, soundtrack, etc. (2 points)
- Merged with your analysis/interpretation of the film
- Include formal analysis, e.g. what the do types of shots, editing, soundtrack signify? (3 points)
- Include cultural analysis, e.g. gender, sexuality, or race analysis (3 points)
- Situate the film you’ve chosen within the LGBTQ+ issues it raises and/or assess the LGBTQ+ representation it offers
- Integrate & cite at least 2 scholars on LGBTQ+ studies/film NOT be found on our syllabus
- Describe audience reactions — even if simply your own!
- Include at least one cited image (e.g. screen capture of the virtual venue and/or still shot from the film) with a brief description beneath it; for a still shot of the film: (production company, year released); for a screen capture of the virtual venue: (website address, date accessed)
This began as a blog assignment for the students of the first ever Queer Studies in Film & TV course (Fall 2016) in the Department of Communication & Media Studies at Fordham University.
Instructor & Editor: Joy C. Schaefer
Course Description: This course examines “queer” independent and mainstream film and television. We will delve into classic Hollywood cinema, “New Queer Cinema,” European cinema, “transnational” cinema, as well as U.S. and Canadian television series. We will apply queer, feminist, film, and media theories to the media in order to more profoundly understand our objects of study—the films and TV series themselves—while simultaneously using our objects to better understand the theories and histories. As we unpack assumptions about sexed bodies, sexual desires, gender identities, and sexual identities, we will examine the ways in which films and TV series uphold and subvert the status quo in regards to gender and sexual norms.
Assignment: A) In 1200-1500 words, write your reactions to a public film screening that has an introduction and/or Q&A and that relates in some way to our course topics. This could be a formal review or a reflection, but be sure to include the following: offer the basics (where; when; is it part of a film program?) and comment on the film(s) (director, year, nation, film form and content, your thoughts on it), its/their relation to our course themes, the Q&A/intro, the screening space, and the general atmosphere. B) In 250-400 words, respond to another student’s post with questions and/or comments.
Queer Cinema Culture 