Live: GENDERED ARCHETYPES IN FILM 4: The Gay Best Friend

MON 4 APR – 19:30 TO 21:30

Lumière Cinema, Bassin 88

Renske Diks
Freelance film programmer, speaker, moderator and photographer

In this lecture, Renske Diks will tackle the gendered stereotype of ‘the gay best friend’ in cinema and TV. From a historical point of view, the representation of the homosexual man, and more specifically the gay best friend, has grown immensely. This friend is someone who is there to support, comfort and advise his often straight female friend(s). But its growing representation has confirmed a stereotypical portrayal of the gay man, in the way that they look, act and talk. From Stanford Blatch in ‘Sex and the City’ and Jack in ‘Will & Grace’ to George in ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’ and John in ‘Happiest Season’, we will provide an insight into the stereotype of the gay best friend, how he came to the surface and how he has evolved.