This work considers the impact of queer representation and queer visibility in the biopic genre, ... more This work considers the impact of queer representation and queer visibility in the biopic genre, with a specific focus on the morality of artifice when representing the life story of a real figure. How does a figure's representation impact their legacy, reputation, and the perception of queer people in general? The biopic is defined and analysed in terms of genre, subgenre, and conventions. Filmmaker intentions and motivations are highlighted within case studies including Dallas Buyers Club (Vallée, 2014) and a close comparison between Behind the Candelabra (Soderberg, 2013), Bohemian Rhapsody (Singer, 2018) and Rocketman (Fletcher, 2019). Considering the impact of archetypes, the hero's journey and generic narrative structures, this work highlights the potential impact of changes to a figure's life story for the purpose of revenue, critical acclaim, and entertainment. 10 CHAPTER 1 Positioning Queerness: legally, historically and in representation censorship Legality Discrimination towards queer people can be in the form of social interaction or social stigmatisation however it can also become ingrained in political practice and criminal law. Discrimination can become institutionalised, in organisations and political systems. Lotta Samelius and Erik Wågberg (2005, p.19) detail many ways in which discrimination through criminalisation can affect the lives and livelihood of queer people. Their examples include healthcare issues such as 'pathologizing, forced medication and cruel treatments,' and ignorance towards minorities within the queer community such as 'neglect of the existence and needs of LGBT people with disabilities, young LGBT persons and elderly LGBT persons' and threat of physical harm such as 'violence and harassment from official state representatives including execution.' Not only can these laws have a grievous impact on the physical and mental health of queer people, but it can create a social climate in which hatred and discrimination towards queer people is seen as acceptable by the public. For example, if a government finds it justifiable to punish queer people with execution this sends a message that queer people are inherently wrong, going against laws perceived to be founded on moral and safety grounds, and that queer lives are worth less than those of heterosexual people. This can create an incredibly toxic culture in which queer people hide in fear and often begin to believe the governments indoctrination themselves, leading to diminished self-worth and selfhatred. In some countries there are laws to protect citizens from discrimination in the workplace, in education and as a consumer. UK law defines certain 'protected characteristics' protected from discrimination, including, but not limited to age, sex, sexual orientation and religious beliefs. The four categories of discrimination, according to UK Government
This work considers the impact of queer representation and queer visibility in the biopic genre, ... more This work considers the impact of queer representation and queer visibility in the biopic genre, with a specific focus on the morality of artifice when representing the life story of a real figure. How does a figure's representation impact their legacy, reputation, and the perception of queer people in general? The biopic is defined and analysed in terms of genre, subgenre, and conventions. Filmmaker intentions and motivations are highlighted within case studies including Dallas Buyers Club (Vallée, 2014) and a close comparison between Behind the Candelabra (Soderberg, 2013), Bohemian Rhapsody (Singer, 2018) and Rocketman (Fletcher, 2019). Considering the impact of archetypes, the hero's journey and generic narrative structures, this work highlights the potential impact of changes to a figure's life story for the purpose of revenue, critical acclaim, and entertainment. 10 CHAPTER 1 Positioning Queerness: legally, historically and in representation censorship Legality Discrimination towards queer people can be in the form of social interaction or social stigmatisation however it can also become ingrained in political practice and criminal law. Discrimination can become institutionalised, in organisations and political systems. Lotta Samelius and Erik Wågberg (2005, p.19) detail many ways in which discrimination through criminalisation can affect the lives and livelihood of queer people. Their examples include healthcare issues such as 'pathologizing, forced medication and cruel treatments,' and ignorance towards minorities within the queer community such as 'neglect of the existence and needs of LGBT people with disabilities, young LGBT persons and elderly LGBT persons' and threat of physical harm such as 'violence and harassment from official state representatives including execution.' Not only can these laws have a grievous impact on the physical and mental health of queer people, but it can create a social climate in which hatred and discrimination towards queer people is seen as acceptable by the public. For example, if a government finds it justifiable to punish queer people with execution this sends a message that queer people are inherently wrong, going against laws perceived to be founded on moral and safety grounds, and that queer lives are worth less than those of heterosexual people. This can create an incredibly toxic culture in which queer people hide in fear and often begin to believe the governments indoctrination themselves, leading to diminished self-worth and selfhatred. In some countries there are laws to protect citizens from discrimination in the workplace, in education and as a consumer. UK law defines certain 'protected characteristics' protected from discrimination, including, but not limited to age, sex, sexual orientation and religious beliefs. The four categories of discrimination, according to UK Government
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