Queer cinema has always challenged traditional storytelling conventions and pushed boundaries in terms of representation, but how exactly do these films challenge narrative closure, linear temporality, and the spectator's gaze? In this article, I will examine how queer cinema subverts the conventional narrative structure and creates a more fluid and non-binary approach to time and space.
Narrative closure is an important aspect of storytelling that involves providing a resolution or answer to the central conflict or question posed at the beginning of a film.
In many queer films, there may be no clear resolution or answer, leaving viewers with ambiguous or open-ended endings.
In Todd Haynes' film "Carol," the protagonists' relationship is left open-ended, suggesting that love can exist outside of heteronormative structures. Similarly, in Gregg Araki's "Mysterious Skin," the characters' sexual identities are never fully resolved, creating a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty about their place in society.
Linear temporality refers to the idea that time moves forward in a straight line from beginning to end. Queer cinema often breaks down this linear concept by experimenting with flashbacks, dream sequences, and nonlinear timelines.
In Pedro Almodóvar's "Bad Education," the film jumps back and forth between different time periods, blurring the lines between past and present. This technique serves to highlight the unpredictability and complexity of human experience, as well as the interconnectedness of our lives over time.
The spectator's gaze refers to the way in which we, as viewers, look at the screen and construct meaning from what we see. In mainstream cinema, the camera typically positions us as observers who are passive and distant from the action onscreen. In contrast, queer cinema often challenges this perspective by inviting us into the world of its characters, allowing us to see through their eyes and feel their emotions.
In "Tangerine" by Sean Baker, the camera follows the two transgender women as they navigate Los Angeles, offering an intimate and immersive experience that subverts traditional voyeurism.
Queer cinema problematizes narrative closure, linear temporality, and the spectator's gaze by breaking down traditional storytelling conventions and offering new perspectives on time, space, and identity. By exploring these themes, queer cinema opens up new possibilities for representing marginalized experiences and fostering empathy and understanding among audiences.
How does queer cinema problematize narrative closure, linear temporality, and the spectator's gaze?
Queer cinema has long been criticized for its unique approach to storytelling that often challenges traditional structures of narrative closure and linear temporality. In this regard, it has also been argued that queer films may disrupt the viewing experience by shifting the power dynamic between filmmaker and viewer.