Queer Cinema

Queer Musicians + Film = ?

The addition of our talented new member nathan503 got me to thinking about representations of queer musicians and how they are portrayed and/or their music is used in film.

For me, at least what is coming to mind at this moment, are the glam rockers; specifically Todd Haynes' Velvet Goldmine and John Cameron Mitchell's Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Both films are written and directed by gay men about queer musicians and miraculously succeed at telling poignant, engaging stories that don't fall victim to the abundance of stereotypical cliches that so many others do.

Within recent years, a number of films have begun to delve into the lives of rather famous musicians of the past whose queer sensibilities have only recently come to light. Irwin Winkler's De-Lovely which chronicles the life of Cole Porter, and Atom Egoyan's Where The Truth Lies. Unfortunately, due to the (homophobic) powers that be, the films tended to skim the surface of this aspect of their lives and ultimately disguised the queer elements to supposedly appeal to a wider audience.

However I think it is the Broadway composers and actors that have comprised a significant portion of cinemas representations of queer musicians. This tends to leak into films such as The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Birdcage, and To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything Julie Newmar where the Broadway-obsessed, lisping queen steretype emerges and has definitely left its mark on society. Trick delt with such an artist trying to make it in New York CIty and I liked how the film didn't sideline his musical aspirations and focus just on the relationship aspect of the film. The cinematic adaptation of Rent also deals with young bohemian types trying to flourish in the big city. Films like Camp and Fame showcase the younger teenager set of queer musicians which are fun and oozingly poptastic.

In terms of un-campy portrayals of young modern musicians, I can't really think of too much. I know Gregg Araki has had both queer musicians as characters and as actors in his films like The Living End and Nowhere but they aren't fully explored (and are acutally rather campy). Party Monster has it's portrayal of DJ Keoki which again isn't really touched upon (and is rather razzle-dazzle). Rufus Wainwright pops up in Heights but not as himself nor as a musician (I'm pretty sure he's labeled merely an artist). Stephin Merritt (a gay acoustic artist) scored and contributed a number of songs to Pieces of April which is primarily populated with straight characters (aside from Sean Hayes playing an amalgam of Jack and Karen from Will & Grace) so that can't really be counted.

So yeah, the representations of queer musicians in film mostly fall victim to cliched stereotypes and/or waxed over to appeal to the heteronormative populace. Since this has been a rather superficial glossing over of the sub-genre, which films have you guys enjoyed/loathed that spotlight queer musicians? And if you don't mind, list some of the films that I haven't (and probably haven't seen) to help broaden all of our horizons.

 - Chris

Re: Queer Musicians + Film = ?

I couldn't agree with you more about the stereotypical depiction of anyone queer in the cinema.  Although Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is just that, it was a fun movie and had great music to go along with it.  I accept this film as being ok in the sphere of the stereotypical because I think it had a lot of heart and soul.  It was different and completely entertaining. 

De-Lovely and Fame were very much glossed over in their dealing with homosexuality.  In that sense, I find these more offensive that the blatant ones.  Sure, stereotypes are used in The Bird Cage and Priscilla, but at least they directly convey the lifestyle of the characters.  In De-Lovely, it was so Hollywood-ized, that what should have been a film about a famous gay person was demoted to allusions and "hidden agendas". 

It seems to me that the more money that is poured into a film the less accurate it is in telling the real story.  Advances have certainly been made in representing queer cinema, but often times it is at the expense of reality.  In my mind, television has done a far better job at putting forth authentic queer themes than movies have.

I will have to think about some independent and foreign films that connect musicians and queer cinema.....will do in a bit!