Centre for Cinema and Media Studies (CIMS)

Out on Screen

queer.jpgA research into the social and emancipating role of queer representations in contemporary screen culture, using a queer theory perspective

Researcher(s) (CIMS)

Frederik Dhaenens

Supervisors (CIMS)

Daniel Biltereyst

Co-Supervisors (CIMS)

Sofie Van Bauwel

Funded by

Scientific Research Council, Flanders/Belgium, 2008-2011

Presentation

Inspired by Stuart Hall’s politics of representation (Hall, 1997) and Queer Theory, this research project wants to obtain a better insight into the social and emancipating role of the gay and lesbian representations in contemporary screen culture. Which gay and lesbian images are produced (film, television, screen culture)? How do youngsters interpret these images? Central to this project is the position of these representations in society and their potential role in pursuing equality of rights. The research project combines quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The project will use: a content analysis (film and television programming); audience rates and box office data; film/textual analysis (on the portrayal and representation of gay and lesbian (main or side) characters; qualitative audience study (how youngsters interpret contemporary gay and lesbian representations).