In an attempt to explore Foucault’s ideas about how sexuality “is put into discourse”, you will be doing a close analysis of (1) film that we've seen this quarter, exploring its use of film language to analyze HOW sexuality appears in it. In what ways does sexuality manifest itself? How do you see it or read it as?

So, for example, you might argue that in A Florida Enchantment, it appears in the liminal space of the narrative when Lillian is a man but continues to dress as a woman. Lesbian desire appears as gender transgression/failure.

Or, lesbian desire appears in Madchen in Uniform as an expression of anti-fascism. It is expressed as a subversive challenge to the order of existing power relations.

Or, homosexuality appears in Rope as criminality. It is expressed as dangerous-- a threat to heterosexuality

This paper has two parts: you will be analyzing one scene and then relating the meaning(s) you find within that scene to the film as a whole.

1. Choose a scene or a section from a scene. Write a detailed analysis of the scene in terms of film language, with an eye to supporting your argument. For example, if you choose a scene and want to focus on how the two characters interact, describe the camerawork, composition, lighting, color, sound, acting style, costume, pacing, editing, the blocking of actors in relation to each other. I would rather that you limit your discussion to a detailed analysis of one or two of these elements, as they seem relevant to your discussion, rather than providing a cursory description of all of them. Describe what’s happening in terms of the narrative only if it seems important. Remember that description should always be in the service of your argument or thesis.

2. Relate the meaning(s) you find in the scene to the film more generally—how does this scene exemplify a theme that runs through the entire film. In this paper you are analyzing the aesthetic dimension of these films, exploring how the form and content work in tandem.
Obviously you will need to choose a scene, or part of a scene, that is short enough to work with in the space of 4-5 pages.

• It is not necessary to provide detailed plot/event synopsis of the entire film unless it is relevant to your particular analysis.
• In your paper you should engage with and quote from at least (1) course reading to support your analysis
• At the top of your paper please note whether or not you are a Film major and/or have taken other film studies classes.
• PROOFREAD • SPELL-CHECK • IDENTIFY FILMS WITH TITLE, YEAR AND DIRECTOR •
NOTE AUTHOR AND COURSE READER PAGE NUMBERS AFTER QUOTATIONS

[on-line resource: http://ic.ucsc.edu/~ahastie/film/] “fdmstudent”

In this paper you will be exploring how a film refuses to use the “master’s tools” in an effort to dismantle the “master’s house.” In other words, the films in the list below, it could be argued, represent non-normative sexuality through non-normative film languages or use film language in non-normative ways.

Explore how your chosen film negotiates the relationship between form (genre, mode, style) and content (queer, gay, lesbian, heterosexual). You will need to define your terms. Support your argument through reference to at least one course reading and asubstantial engagement with a scene or part of a scene from your chosen film.

• It is not necessary to provide detailed plot/event synopsis of the entire film unless it is relevant to your particular analysis
• At the top of your paper please note whether or not you are a Film major and/or have taken other film studies classes

PROOFREAD • SPELL-CHECK • IDENTIFY FILMS WITH TITLE, YEAR AND DIRECTOR •
NOTE AUTHOR AND COURSE READER PAGE NUMBERS AFTER QUOTATIONS

FILMS TO WORK WITH:

Genet’s Un Chant D’Amour
Clarke’s Portrait of Jason
Borden’s Born in Flames
Julien’s Looking For Langston
Water’s Female Trouble
Kalin’s Swoon
Fung’s Chinese Characters

In this class we have been discussing the representation of non-normative sexualities in film & video. This task has been made easier by the relative uniqueness of seeing so many films in which lesbian, gay, and queer characters appear. In other words, we may not take these representations for granted in the way that we do representations of normative sexuality.

Using the analytical methods you’ve developed to discuss lesbian, gay, and queer representations, explore the representation of heterosexuality in some media text. This can be a recent film/video/TV, or, equally as interesting, something like a photo of family or friends or yourself, or some other kind of familiar visual text. Through a close analysis of the text, answer the following: How does “heterosexuality” appear? What do you see it as or through? If possible, please include a copy of the audio/visual text that you are working with (if its not readily commercially available)

Engage substantially with ideas from at least ONE course reading.

Almost any course reading will prove interesting, but here are a few suggestions:
• any chapter from Jagose
• Probyn, “Michel Foucault and the Uses of Sexuality”
• Foucault, “We ‘Other Victorians’” and “The Repressive Hypothesis”
• D’Emilio, “Capitalism and Gay Identity”
• Lorde, “The Masters Tools”
• Julien and hooks, “States of Desire: Isaac Julien in conversation with bell hooks”

FILM 165C • WINTER 2008 • LESBIAN/GAY/QUEER FILM + VIDEO

FINAL EXAM DUE: at the Film and Digital Media Department by Thursday March 20th at 4pm.

• You will be answering 2 questions (you must answer question #1)
• Each question should be answered in approx. 2-3 pages, for a total of 4-6 pages of text. Each question should be answered in full
• Must be typed, double-spaced, 1” or less margins
• PROOFREAD, SPELL-CHECK, IDENTIFY FILMS WITH TITLE, YEAR AND DIRECTOR
• NOTE AUTHOR AND COURSE READER PAGE NUMBERS AFTER QUOTATIONS