What were the stereotypes of lgbtqi* characters in classical Hollywood movies? What was the new narrative and aesthetic approach of the New Queer Cinema of the 1990s? Has the mainstreaming of lesbian and gay characters led to a homo-normativity in film? In how far can queer filmmaking be understood as an audiovisual political practice?
In the aftermath of postmodern constructivist theories traditional concepts of sexuality and gender in general are being questioned. The hitherto effective binary opposition of heterosexual/homosexual is at stake as is a clear distinction of male and female.
Apart from textwork the material for discussion will be a historical found footage documentary, contemporary biopics of gay icons, feature films and documentaries on trans*persons as well as experimental films.