The use of fragmentation is an important device used by queer cinema to represent the complicated nature of modern identity. Fragmentation involves breaking down a story into smaller parts that are separate from each other but interrelated in some way. This technique reflects the disjointedness and nonlinearity of identity, which can be influenced by many factors such as gender, race, class, religion, nationality, and culture. In contemporary films like Moonlight (2016), Brokeback Mountain (2005), Call Me By Your Name (2017), and Carol (2015), this fragmentation creates a sense of discomfort and unease for viewers, who must piece together different elements of the story to understand its meaning. This mirrors how people today have multiple identities that cannot be easily categorized, and often overlap and contradict one another.
A person might identify as bisexual or pansexual, while also being African American and Christian. The film's fragmented structure helps audiences recognize these complexities, and encourages them to think about their own identity in new ways.
In addition to representing the complexity of identity, fragmentation in queer cinema also serves to challenge traditional narratives about sexuality. Traditional stories tend to present monolithic representations of gender and sexuality, where characters are either straight or gay, male or female, and their behavior is predictable and unchanging. Queer cinema challenges this by showing characters who defy expectations and push boundaries.
In Carol, a lesbian love affair occurs between two women who are older than society expects them to be, and they face social pressure and stigma for their relationship. By breaking down traditional narratives into smaller fragments, queer cinema allows us to see the fluidity and diversity of human experience.
Another way that fragmentation reflects the moral complexity of modern identity is through its use of non-linear timelines. In Moonlight, we see the main character as a child, teenager, and adult at different points in time, each with its own set of struggles and experiences. This creates a sense of fragmentation that mirrors the fragmented nature of memory itself, which can be influenced by emotions, trauma, and other factors. It also highlights how identity changes over time, especially when faced with difficult life circumstances like poverty, addiction, and abuse. Similarly, Brokeback Mountain uses flashbacks to show how the characters' identities change as they grow up, while Call Me By Your Name shows the effects of infidelity on one man's relationships with his family and friends. These films explore how personal choices affect our sense of self, and how we navigate complex moral dilemmas in the face of societal pressures.
The use of fragmentation in queer cinema demonstrates the complex and nuanced nature of modern identity. The filmmakers behind these movies have created an engaging and thought-provoking form of storytelling that challenges conventional wisdom about gender, sexuality, and morality. Through this technique, audiences are invited to question their assumptions and preconceptions, and consider alternative ways of seeing the world around them.
How does queer cinema's use of fragmentation mirror the moral complexity of modern identity?
Queer cinema has become an important form of artistic expression for LGBTQ+ individuals over the past few decades. As society becomes increasingly accepting of different sexualities and gender identities, queer cinema has emerged as a powerful medium through which these groups can express themselves and their experiences. One way that this is achieved is through the use of fragmentation in narrative structure.