 |
| Fig 1. La Belle et la Bête (1946) |
Queer Theory is a form of critical theory built from the foundations of Feminism and Gay/Lesbian Studies. Unlike either Feminism or Gay Studies, which only focus on binary gender or sexuality, Queer Theory covers all sexual and gender identities that fit under the Queer umbrella term.
“As the very word implies, “queer” does not name some natural kind or refer to some determinate object; it acquires its meaning from its oppositional relation to the norm. Queer is by definition whatever is at odds with the normal, the legitimate, the dominant. There is nothing in particular to which it necessarily refers.” (Halperin, 1997:62)
For many years the word "queer" was, and still is by many, considered an insult; however in more recent years the word has started to be less insulting and has been used as an umbrella term to cover all non-binary genders and sexualities.
Queer Theory is mostly based on ideas from Michel Foucault, a French philosopher and social theorist (1926-1984). The term was first coined by Italian Feminist and film theorist Teresa de Lauretis in a conference at the University of California, Santa Cruz (1990), which she edited down into an issue of Differences: A Journal of Feminist Cultural Studies. The current ideas of Queer Theory came from Judith Butler, specifically her book Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity (1990).
One of the goals of Queer Theory is to see films and media through a queer perspective to identify possible hidden subtexts and meanings.
 |
| Fig 2. Jean Cocteau (1923) |
Jean Cocteau was an openly gay writer, poet, artist and director. Regarding his sexuality and the homophobia he endured, he wrote a semi-autobiographical novel called Le Livre Blanc (The White Book/Paper) (1928). While he never attached his name to the novel, he never denied that he created it; he also added paragraphs at the beginning connecting himself to the story and added his own drawings in later editions of the novel.
“It is a curiously weak response, characteristic of the sense of yearning to escape experienced by homosexuals in the 1930s, when they did not yet realize that they were against the wall with no place to flee for refuge. However unrealistic this exile might be, the narrator's decision is nevertheless squarely founded upon a rejection of the homophobic judgment of society: "in exiling myself I am not exiling a monster, but a man whom society will not allow to live, since it considers one of the mysterious cogs in God's masterpiece to be a mistake." He hopes that someone may publish these memoirs precisely so that society may understand this fact: that homophobia is the problem, not homosexuality.” (Norton, 1998)
Cocteau's novel was trying to explain how homophobia is a serious problem with society and that people need to realise that. However...
“Cocteau's intention has largely been ignored by most readers and critics, who respond to the work as though it were a "confession" of his homosexuality rather than a "white paper" on homophobia. It has been read as an apology rather than as a challenge, and scholars have busied themselves with biographical speculation rather than sociological analysis.” (Norton, 1998)
Many readers of Le Livre Blanc saw it as either an addition or as an apology, completely disregarding whatever Cocteau was hoping his novel would actually achieve.
Through the lens of Queer Theory, hidden homosexual subtexts could be found in any of his works, including La Belle et La Bête.
 |
| Fig 3. Jean Marais (1949) |
Cocteau had many relationships with many different people, however is he's longest relationship was with Jean Marais. Jean Marais was a bisexual actor that Cocteau cast in a few different films.
“Cocteau was also openly gay, and his Beauty and the Beast has a very strong campy subtext. One of the reasons for bringing Avenant into the film is the homoerotic relationship displayed between he and Beauty’s brother who objects strongly to the couple marrying, because he thinks Avenant is good for him but not good enough for Beauty. There is a great deal to be read into the film when seen through Queer theory as well – those costumes and that Beast are as camp as camp gets, and Cocteau did cast his lover Jean Marais as the Beast and Avenant.” (Thatcher, 2013)
With La Belle et La Bête, Cocteau's homosexual undertones were shown through both of Marais' characters. The character of Avenant is shown to have a sort of "Bromance" with Belle's brother as some subtle homosexual subtext, however most of the homosexual hidden meanings are with The Beast.
 |
| Fig 4. Beauty and the Beast (1946) |
Throughout the film, the Beast is shown to be rather timid, submissive, slightly feminine and emotional; these are attributes commonly paired with gay stereotypes. He is also shown in large frilly clothing, another stereotype. However, this depiction of the character did not last. In 1991 Disney decided to take a shot at recreating the fairytale of Beauty and the Beast. In Kirk Wise & Gary Trousdale's adaptation of the story, the Beast has a very different personality.
(Disney's Beauty and the Beast, 1991)
In this version of the film the Beast is a lot more aggressive and masculine, which is in complete contrast to the 1946 version.
With most of the queer subtext missing from the 1991 version, it may have been surprising when gay director Bill Condon picked the story back up for the 2017 adaptation.
This time however, there wasn't much in terms of queer subtext, instead there is outright LGBT representation in the character of LeFou.
 |
| Fig 5. LeFou LGBT Collage (2017) |
“In the new version of Beauty and the Beast the character of LeFou, the sidekick of the story’s villain Gaston, is “confused about his sexuality”, according to director Bill Condon. The film features an “exclusively gay moment”, where LeFou dances with another man.” (Mumford, 2017)
In the film LeFou (A character only seen in the Disney adaptations) is shown dancing with another man; which isn't much, but it was enough to spark controversy in several places. The film was banned in Malaysia and in the American state of Alabama; the film was also given an adults only rating in Russia.
LGBT representation has always been important in media even back when it wasn't legal so it could only be shown through hidden meanings. Into present day and LGBT representation is still extremely important in film, but unfortunately still receives controversy.
Bibliography
Halperin, D. (1997) Saint Foucault: Towards a Gay Hagiography [Online] At:https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=o9ct-YPs66UC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Saint+Foucault:+Towards+a+Gay+Hagiography&q=queer+odds&redir_esc=y&hl=en#v=onepage&q&f=false (Accessed on 11 October 18)
Mumford, G (2017) Beauty and the Beast: Disney refuses to cut gay scene for Malaysian release [Online News Article] At: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/mar/16/beauty-and-the-beast-disney-gay-scene-malaysia (Accessed on 24 October 2018)
Norton, R (1998) Cocteau’s White Paper on Homophobia [Online] At: http://rictornorton.co.uk/cocteau.htm (Accessed on 24 October 2018)
Thatcher, L. (2013) La Belle et La Bête - Jean Cocteau Re-Imagines Fairytales [Film Review] At: https://lisathatcher.com/2013/03/04/la-belle-et-la-bete-jean-cocteau-re-imagines-fairytales-film-review/ (Accessed on 24 October 2018)
List of Illustrations
Figure 1. La Belle et la Bête (1946) [Poster] At: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:La_Belle_et_la_B%C3%AAte_film.jpg (Accessed on 24.10.18)
Figure 2. (Unknown) (1923) Jean Cocteau. [Photograph] At: https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b90243642/ (Accessed on 24.10.2018)
Figure 3. Carl Van Vechten (1949) Jean Marais [Photograph] At: https://www.flickr.com/photos/trialsanderrors/4708826489/ (Accessed on 24.10.18)
Figure 4. Beauty and the Beast (1946) From: La Belle et La Bete, Directed by: Jean Cocteau. [Film Still] France: DisCina. At: https://brightlightsfilm.com/wp-content/cache/all/watch-la-belle-et-la-bete-france-jean-cocteau-1946/#.W9BqPktKguU (Accessed on 24.10.18)
Figure 5. LeFou LGBT Collage (2017) [Collage] At: https://www.broadway.com/buzz/187742/sneaking-suspicions-confirmed-in-new-beauty-and-the-beast-lefou-is-gay/ (Accessed on 24.10.18)
List of Video References
Beauty and the Beast (1991) Directed by: Trousdale, G & Wise, K [Film Clip] United States: Walt Disney Animation Studios. At: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A2DlPqUGTI (Accessed on 24.10.18)
With a bit of work and a bit more reading and application of some of the theorists you mention here, you've got the makings of a fascinating written assignment here, Terry.
ReplyDeleteInteresting stuff Terry! :)
ReplyDelete