Queer Representation in Film
This list features films that contain explicit queer representation, disregarding films with subtext, queer coding and queer interpretations. The majority of films presented on this list are ground-breaking, progressive and subversive by today's standards or when the film was released. They are often discussed in relation to queer film theory and queer cinema/New queer cinema. Others were either previously unwatched or quality films I was interested in viewing. It is important to note that there are numerous important queer films not on this list that may be lesser known and did not appear in my research.
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- DirectorBasil DeardenStarsDirk BogardeSylvia SymsDennis PriceA closeted lawyer risks his career to bring a blackmailer to justice.The first British film to utilise the term 'homosexual' and deal with it sympathetically. It made noticeable strides in changing attitudes towards homosexuality. Taking into account the context of the film's release year, it's depiction of gay men was ground-breaking, although can obviously be considered problematic by today's standards. The film is excellent with a strong storyline and performances.
- DirectorWilliam WylerStarsAudrey HepburnShirley MacLaineJames GarnerA rebellious student at a girls' school accuses two teachers of lesbianism.
- DirectorWilliam FriedkinStarsKenneth NelsonPeter WhiteLeonard FreyTempers fray and true selves are revealed when a heterosexual accidentally intrudes on a homosexual party.
- DirectorJohn SchlesingerStarsPeter FinchGlenda JacksonMurray HeadThe emotional intricacies of a polyamorous relationship between young artist Bob and his two lovers: a lonely male doctor and a frustrated female office worker.
- DirectorBob FosseStarsLiza MinnelliMichael YorkHelmut GriemA female girlie club entertainer in Weimar Republic era Berlin romances two men while the Nazi Party rises to power around them.
- DirectorJohn WatersStarsDivineDavid LocharyMary Vivian PearceNotorious Baltimore criminal and underground figure Divine goes up against a sleazy married couple who make a passionate attempt to humiliate her and seize her tabloid-given title as "The Filthiest Person Alive".
- DirectorChristopher LarkinStarsRobert McLaneCurt GarethBo WhiteA poignant romantic drama examines the life of gay 26 year old, ex-monk, school teacher living in Manhattan. When he meets a man at a gay bar, they connect and are soon living together. Unfortunately their views on monogamy don't match.
- DirectorSidney LumetStarsAl PacinoJohn CazalePenelope AllenThree amateur bank robbers plan to hold up a bank. A nice simple robbery: Walk in, take the money, and run. Unfortunately, the supposedly uncomplicated heist suddenly becomes a bizarre nightmare as everything that could go wrong does.
- DirectorJim SharmanStarsTim CurrySusan SarandonBarry BostwickA newly-engaged couple have a breakdown in an isolated area and must seek shelter at the bizarre residence of Dr. Frank-n-Furter.
- DirectorRon PeckStarsKen RobertsonTony WestropeRachel Nicholas JamesA homosexual man is forced to hide his sexuality by day while living his secret life by night.A realistic depiction of the gay scene in 1970s London. Explores the dichotomy of the day and night experiences of a gay schoolteacher. Rather slow and meandering at times, but revolutionary in its portrayal of MLM sex as sympathetic rather than criminal.
- DirectorWilliam FriedkinStarsAl PacinoPaul SorvinoKaren AllenA police officer goes undercover in the underground S&M gay subculture of New York City to catch a serial killer who is preying on gay men.Protests occurred during Cruising's production regarding the film's negative depiction of gay men. However, my main issue with the film is its poor structure and direction, relegating it to a confusing mess that does not accomplish what it wishes to. The aspect of queer culture the film portrays could be harmful though, especially as the film was released during a time with limited representation, therefore the film could enforce negative stereotypes and increase ignorance amongst mainstream viewers.
- DirectorPaul BogartStarsAnne BancroftMatthew BroderickHarvey FiersteinArnold is a gay man working as drag queen in 1971 NYC. He meets a handsome bisexual man.
- DirectorAng LeeStarsWinston ChaoMay ChinAh-Lei GuaTo satisfy his nagging parents, a gay landlord and a female tenant agree to a marriage of convenience, but his parents arrive to visit and things get out of hand.
- DirectorMike NicholsStarsRobin WilliamsNathan LaneGene HackmanA gay cabaret owner and his drag queen companion agree to put up a false straight front so that their son can introduce them to his fiancée's right-wing moralistic parents.
- DirectorMichael MayerStarsColin FarrellDallas RobertsRobin WrightA boy who has experienced many losses in his life grows to manhood and enters into a love triangle with a woman and his boyhood friend.
- DirectorMatthew WarchusStarsBill NighyImelda StauntonDominic WestU.K. gay activists work to help miners during their lengthy strike of the National Union of Mineworkers in the summer of 1984.
- DirectorGina Prince-BythewoodStarsCharlize TheronKiKi LayneMatthias SchoenaertsA covert team of immortal mercenaries is suddenly exposed and must now fight to keep their identity a secret just as an unexpected new member is discovered.
- DirectorM. Night ShyamalanStarsDave BautistaJonathan GroffBen AldridgeWhile vacationing, a girl and her parents are taken hostage by armed strangers who demand that the family make a choice to avert the apocalypse.
- DirectorAlan ParkerStarsEddie BarthIrene CaraLee CurreriA chronicle of the lives of several teenagers who attend a New York high school for students gifted in the performing arts.A mainstream film that featured an out gay main character, rare for the time. Montgomery receives a mostly positive reception from his peers and forms a friendship with a previous bully. Fame is interesting in its gritty and realistic depiction of the desire for fame and the outcome for most searching for it.
- DirectorFrank RipplohStarsFrank RipplohBernd BroaderupOrpha TerminFrank Ripploh is a rascal: he is a shaggy-haired, bearded teacher who is gay and has a very active sex life plus an interest in making films. He keeps his personal life separate from his personal life, though sometimes he corrects student papers in public toilets as he waits to score. He cruises constantly. One evening, he meets Bernd and they become lovers. Bernd is attentive and caring, but Frank gets bored with him and continues his polymorphous perverse ways. How long will Bernd and Frank tolerate each other's habits, and how long can Frank keep his sexual orientation outside of the classroom? Things "come to a head" (no pun intended) during Berlin's annual Queen's Ball and the morning after.Set in Berlin, the film follows the life of a gay schoolteacher who, similar to the character in Nighthawks, lives two separate lives which occasionally converge. Taxi zum klo reflects on the ideas of monogamy, fear of loneliness, and the act of cruising and having casual sex frequently pre HIV/AIDS. This film is highly explicit and could be considered pornographic at times, which even now is ground-breaking and boundary pushing. The film is humorous and quirky at times and slow and meandering at others.
- DirectorRobert TowneStarsMariel HemingwayScott GlennPatrice DonnellyThe intertwined lives and loves of three highly ranked athletes striving for the national team; Chris bounces between the beds of male coach Terry and her female friend, competitor, and role model Tory.Great cinematography and acting, although unnecessarily long. The effective use of slow motion is a standout. The WLW relationship is secondary to the story and portrayed as natural and realistic which is important for audience members to recognise that queer people are no different, both now and at the time of release.
- DirectorBlake EdwardsStarsJulie AndrewsJames GarnerRobert PrestonA struggling female soprano in 1934 Paris finally finds work after posing as a female impersonator, but it complicates her personal life when a visiting Chicago gangster finds himself inexplicably attracted to the seemingly male performer.Victor/Victoria is a fun, clever and inviting film, which is captivating for its standout performances, cast rapport, humorous dialogue and musical numbers. Some scenes have aged poorly whereas some hold up relatively well. There is some minor discussion of gender roles and stereotypes regarding sexuality, alongside Feminism, identity and sexual orientation, which could have been further explored, The film normalises gay representation which is appreciable.
- DirectorClea DuVallStarsKristen StewartMackenzie DavisMary SteenburgenA holiday romantic comedy that captures the range of emotions tied to wanting your family's acceptance, being true to yourself, and trying not to ruin Christmas.
- DirectorTodd HaynesStarsCate BlanchettRooney MaraSarah PaulsonAn aspiring photographer develops an intimate relationship with an older woman in 1950s New York.A beloved, romantic, slow burn from Todd Haynes, a pioneer in the new queer cinema movement. Carol's depicted love story, which provides a powerful and intriguing dynamic, is accompanied by beautiful cinematography, a gorgeous soundtrack, interesting performances, but a lack of realistic dialogue and complexity in its characters.
- DirectorSean BakerStarsKitana Kiki RodriguezMya TaylorKarren KaragulianA hooker tears through Tinseltown on Christmas Eve searching for the pimp who broke her heart.Provides an insight into the experiences of trans sex workers through a fast paced twisted revenge tale. The characters are portrayed as unsympathetic and realistic which is refreshing. Some good camerawork shot with an iPhone, however cannot make up for the mostly poor dialogue and acting.
- DirectorShane BlackStarsRobert Downey Jr.Val KilmerMichelle MonaghanAfter being mistaken for an actor, a New York thief is sent to Hollywood to train under a private eye for a potential movie role, but the duo are thrown together with a struggling actress into a murder mystery.The inclusion of a gay character, aptly named "gay Perry" in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is purely for comedic purposes. Some jokes lean on stereotypes however the character is portrayed as tough and proficient. The smart dialogue, plot and strong rapport between the actors makes for an enjoyable watch.
- DirectorThomas BezuchaStarsDermot MulroneySarah Jessica ParkerClaire DanesAn uptight, liberal businesswoman accompanies her boyfriend to his eccentric and outgoing family's annual Christmas celebration and finds that she's a fish out of water in their free-spirited way of life.The film boasts a great cast, creating humour through archetypes and family interactions. The ensemble includes a deaf gay son and his partner, who in a scene are questioned regarding their sexuality and plans to adopt, raising some common misinformed views. They are supported by his family and experience no conflict throughout the film, however are somewhat side-lined in the presence of the straight pairings.
- DirectorOl ParkerStarsPiper PeraboLena HeadeyMatthew GoodeA newlywed bride becomes infatuated with another woman who questions her sexual orientation, promoting a stir among the bride's family and friends.Imagine Me & You takes the conventional romantic comedy format and adds a queer twist. The film follows two women who experience love at first sight whilst one of them is marrying a man. It's sweet, funny and sincere, partly commenting on the ideas of fidelity, stability and true love through empathetic characters. The film briefly brings up the idea of men being capable of "turning" lesbians straight which is rebuffed by the lesbian character.
- DirectorMichael ShowalterStarsJim ParsonsBen AldridgeJosh PaisThe story of Michael Ausiello and Kit Cowan's relationship, which takes a tragic turn when Cowan is diagnosed with terminal cancer.Based on the best selling memoir, Spoiler Alert depicts the ups and downs in a gay couples relationship and lives. The film is humorous, sweet, quirky and relatable alongside its depiction of serious illness and its impacts. It portrayals its central couple as normal alongside supportive parents and friends in their lives.
- DirectorÉdouard MolinaroStarsUgo TognazziMichel SerraultClaire MaurierThe manager of a Saint-Tropez nightclub featuring drag entertainment, and his star attraction, are a gay couple. Madness ensues when his straight son brings home a fiancée and her ultra-conservative parents to meet them.