Gay and Lesbian Characters in Australian Film

[SexyW21]

Not my place to judge that's God place on judgment day

[MrRashmi32]

hmm ok... Im form an asian country..i m a married woman.., but im a bi...

there are lot of restrictions specially here in asia for being lesbians which is not fair..i very secretly carry on my relationship with ma friend cz just cnt give up and i love it...cz only a woman would understand that how doest it feel when a woman fallen in love with another woman..! im a mom two children as well.., but even aftre all this i cant just give it up...

[ArekDamianBal]

Fuck... homosexuality is not an issue at all. Concerns of a public made it one.

[sportfooty16]

im lesbian and when i walk down the street with my misses we get the looks from the older generation like we are a disease or something. I see this is some movies aswell, the younger generation have no problem with it, i know my grandparents still dont execpt it but they do say what ever makes you happy, im happy if your happy now i think thats a lie, i tink that means i will be so much more happier when your with a man...BULL SHIT....tv needs to aim at the issues that really happen with gays

[BandieBoo]

My friends and i were out eating and we seen 2 lesbians makin out...just beautiful

[alessa13331]

what's the movie with the draqqueen ???

[beanierenie]

where i come from its more acceptable to be a lesbian than a gay man, the reason being that we lesbian's are seen as less threatening. This comes from many different social aspects. It is only an assumption that gay men are more accepted because they are portrayed more in movies and television. This is usually because gay men often have more colourful and flamboyant attitudes, making greater entertainment.

[siothegr8]

I love the movie Queen of the desert :D its liek my fave flim XD I fucking love it!

[caseySAYSgoodbye22]

tch... maybe gay guys are more acceptable where you're from... but in the U.S. LESBIANS are more accepted than gay men is most parts.

[wolfkins]

@caseySAYSgoodbye22 actually that is not correct. The male driven "fantasy" of lesbians may be accepted in the US however the actual reality of lesbians is not as accepted as gay men in the US, the reason is that straight men like the idea of being with 2 women at the same time.... most of them would be offput by not being included in the lesbian fun because most straight men think that all lesbians really need is the right man and in their fantasy that man is always them.

[onebeat89]

@wolfkins well said.

[5stringwhorevette]

queer coinema is the best cinema

[Passbookable]

Great documentary. Having just got through watching yet another "car crash" movie with a lesbian sub-text I am not sure about any representation being good. Some are quite damaging to lesbians because they limit us to merely sexual beings.

[NOVASCOTIABRAT]

search the angry lesbian song..... comical

[ParArdua]

This is a great compilation,

thanks onebeat.

[saintfletcher]

There were some rough depictions of lesbians in Australia in the television serious: Prisoner, or Cell Block H.

[LolEvilFishy]

Lol, funnily enough theres alot of gay films in Australia :P

[ParArdua]

@LolEvilFishy

Not enough in my opinion.

The US leads the way in Queer cinema.

[AYAH071888]

at 0:44 thats russell crowe ryt?

[onebeat89]

@AYAH071888 yep, in The Sum of Us.

[ParArdua]

@onebeat89

The Sum of Us was his best film.

[ManiacMovieGroup]

If you like short films you migh want to check out our channel.

:)

[inxsexy]

that was great,thanks.

[cm410856]

what's the movie at 0:17

[onebeat89]

it's Picnic At Hanging Rock, great 70's movie.

[MirrPL]

Well done! We all need more of this. These stereotypes are extremly irritating as they take up all the screen time whenever anything that is gay is portraited. That goes for most countries.

Cheers and thanks!

Mirror/Stockholm-Sweden

[A00145773]

What about Charlie & Joey in 'Home and Away?'

[onebeat89]

As I've said this is only looking at Australian film, it doesn't include television (the course I did was film-specific) but apart from that I made it over 3 years ago, well before the Charlie and Joey storyline. Thanks for the comment though.

[Inara3]

That was a really great, well done!!

[richiesboringlife2]

well done this was excellant

[Saltheigh]

Hmm, this is a really interesting analysis. The audio should be normalized more - the loud header music right before a really quiet movie scene is hard to follow.

Yeah, many characters in films are self-absorbed. They're usually more interesting that way. :)

[tantalostraum]

i know you! good job!

[AaronPinkney]

prisoner cell block H lol ...say no more

[MegaSpideyman]

I would have liked you to have mentioned Home And Away and Neighbours lesbian stuff. But ah sure. Film, not TV.

[fallenAngel2513]

wats the movie at 2:23?

[onebeat89]

It's He Died With A Felafel In His Hand. Bit of a cult movie that one!

[fallenAngel2513]

thx

[VHudgensFan19]

Weird movies xD But lol

[alwaysposh]

Rather, writers and directors should be placing gay characters in stories that don't involve coming out. Think of a gay James Bond or a gay Casablanca: The characters would have come out a long time ago and now facing other struggles.

[Ozynut]

@alwaysposh Totally agree. One day when I make films, that is what I hope to achieve!

[alwaysposh]

Interesting commentary, however, I don't think a gay film can not not be about sexuality. Any non gay film is about sexuality or has sexuality in it. James Bond, The Little Mermaid, Casablanca. Sexuality in most films is defined as the love story or coming of age fable. If James Bond did charm the pants off women, then he'd just be a boring action robot. Without Ariel's desire for the prince, there would be no movie. Rather, what impedes gay films is too many coming out stories. See cont. below

[Miloutj3]

what's the movie from 0.20?

[onebeat89]

the older woman getting kissed on the cheek? that's The Well. strange but good film!

[blayanksnut]

Cool vid; liked sum of us and Head On was another strong Aussie film. I write about some positive representations of gays and lesbians in Hollywood during the 20s and 30s in my book Hollywood Bohemians.

[grayC2]

Hi onebeat89, great vid! just wondering where the clip at 0:15 was from? Is that Claudia Black?

[onebeat89]

It's from He Died With A Felafel In His Hand, and the actresses are Emily Hamilton and Romane Bohringer.

[onebeat89]

Oh and thanks!

[JustOchi]

I look forward to coming by this site again and again. I loved the "Sum of Us". Russell Crowe did a great job. More people should see that film.

[joliefanka]

really great video! can you tell me the names of the australian lesbian movies? i have seen only "the well".

[onebeat89]

Thanks! Sure - the movies I used were He Died With A Felafel In His Hand, The Getting of Wisdom, The Well, Only the Brave, Picnic At Hanging Rock, Love and Other Catastrophes and Sirens.

[crazykrew]

do you know what the first song that was up is called???...

[onebeat89]

Everybody Knows That You're Insane by Queens of the Stone Age.

[SuperDuperTracy]

yes..well.. i loved this analysis (no pun intended)..but I don't agree that any representation is better than none at all.. gay people being consistently portrayed as deviants, often violent or psychotic is never a good thing!!.. i remember hiding to watch any any film with a gay character hoping to understand myself and often coming away feeling like something was wrong with me because the character was so tragic. I could have done without seeing that in those days..

[onebeat89]

yes that's true. luckily most of Aust's gay characters aren't serial killers, but we do get stuck with that label sometimes in films.

[NiaNamora]

Wow, this gave me an interesting look inside Australian films, as well as getting to know ya'lls society a little better. It also makes me look at the differences between your culture and mine (I'm From the U.S.). For example it's more socially acceptable to see lesbians then it is to see gay males in the U.S., as it is the opposite in Australia.

As for your analysis on the movies...I always found all characters in movies to be at least semi self-absorbed, but that's just my perspective.

[anoopkarnal]

this is real aus.

[WindyJ]

Great vid! I don't know that I agree with the fact that any representation is better than none but I still really like this. Very well thought out and well done! Thank you for posting :) Did you do this for a class or anything?

[onebeat89]

Thanks for your comment! Yep, I made this as my practical response when I did the Australian film unit in media.

[over18andahalf]

HUGH girlfriend?

[onebeat89]

umm... sorry?

[feyth85]

At 2:05... correct me if I'm wrong, but is that Radha Mitchell on the right? I didn't know she was Australian! She was in High Art (beautiful movie!).

[onebeat89]

It sure is... and she sure is! I've never seen High Art (not available here) but I've read about it and it sounds interesting. I'd say LaOC was one of her first film roles... could be wrong though

[feyth85]

She's SO CUTE in High Art. And it's such a beautiful movie. You should really watch it some time!! It's one of my favorite lesbian flicks ever. I'd invite you to come over and watch it, but it's probably cheaper for you to just buy the movie ;)

Anyhoo, thanks for the info!

[evnts101]

LESBIAN AND GAY PRIDE!

[montavilla]

i don't think the lesbian couple in 'love and other catastrophes' as characters themselves were intentional to be a 'joke'. they were funny, because the film was a comedy - the other straight characters were just as funny and their relationships were not a 'joke'.

the scene you references is where frances o'conner's character was trying to make her ex-girlfriends new girlfriend uncomfortable and jealous. it was hilarious. love and other catastrophes is an awesome film.

ps, i'm an american.

[onebeat89]

What can I say, I've taken liberties I'm sure :D thanks for the feedback.

And I know, that's probably my favourite scene of the film! Great timing, realistically awkward... brilliant.

[loki6993]

So am i to understand that your just having abit of a sook? Where in Australia do you live! must be in a town because your perception is alittle off! On what City Australian socirty thinks of lesbians and gays, or are you more so trying to differentiate yourself from others in the homosexual lifestyle?

[onebeat89]

Umm... no? I'm trying to look at the way gays and lesbians are treated in Aussie film. While it's largely better than hollywood and other film industries, it still has improvements to make. I didn't ask you to agree with my opinion, I was simply speculating. Besides the only part of this that even mentions society is right at the end, and like I said it's just speculation.

There's no 'lifestyle' as you call it, and I'm not trying to differentiate myself from anyone.

[loki6993]

What do you mean there is no lifestyle? Iam as camp as a row of tents and that is still the way i refer to myself. Otherwise now i have a better understanding of what you were trying to say.

[onebeat89]

I just don't see it as a lifestyle. I don't refer to myself as having a specific sexuality, and I don't live any differently to any of my 'straight' friends. That's why I don't think of myself as having a homosexual or lesbian lifestyle. It's just a personal opinion thing I guess.

[hamnoo]

I strongly agree with you, onebeat89.

[llretarded]

Isn't the term 'lifestyle' merely another way of differentiating homosexuality from the norm - I mean you never hear of heterosexuality being a 'lifestyle' choice do you? Also, I think it is important to keep in mind that the things that individuate homosexual people from each other far out strip the mere coincidence that they have a similar choice in the sex of their partners...that is, sexuality is not identity for heterosexuals only for homos... why?

[lexomil1414]

thank you for this interesting analyse of Gay and lesbian in autralian movies. I wish in France we were able to make films like that.

[cef90501]

wow to think in the u.s. it is more comin to see a lesbiean anything over a gay anything, i think i like it that way thow mabye you should come out to caliyforna its nice out here for lesbieandns

[Meryem8243]

I'm lesbian

[alex3dh]

very good summary - it peaked my interest in Aussie lesbian cinema

[dubaigaygirl]

but there is TRUTH is all sterotypes.

subtext is sexy, and besides what is a life without subtext.

dyke sterotypes are REAL, this is the reason i stay away from 'gay bars'. They girls ARE sterotypes of themselves.

[southernfolkrocr]

can't really comprehend the idea of being a stereotype of one's self, sadly those ridiculous and very few bars are the only place some feel safe to reflect on the outside what they feel is comfortable to them on the inside( suddenly i sound like a transgender person, how did that happen)

[southernfolkrocr]

where do you meet women?

[cuntmonkey007]

Excellent effort. Brilliant insight. I work mostly with miniDV for cameras, what are you using?

[onebeat89]

I was using a sony minicam or something at the time, I'd prefer to work in miniDV (and normally do) but this camera was borrowed from a friend. Generally I'd use a panasonic 3 chip, the sound and video would be much better quality. Thanks for your comment :)

[TNTBABY]

lesbians are more tolerate i think you'll find by men that is. And men fill more threatened by gays because they see it as a threat to the masculinity of being a male but a butch lesbian is masculine so its ok. Australia is still majority a man's world, TV mobile adverts and alcohol adverts with lesbians focus on lesbians being unrealistically attractive and the adverts glorify them as nothing more then something str8 men pull there dicks off to.

[onebeat89]

Yeah, I do agree with that assessment of lesbians in the wider society of Oz land. Am I contradicting myself... probably :D

[gabrielaSH]

great job!

thanx

[vivianerp]

great job!

[redess89]

hey what is the name of that actress in seen with the older relationship at 3.34 she looks lyk sum one i no but not 100%

[aimus8888]

Thanks! You did a great job. I don't know if it will ever be the way it is supposed to be. Maybe it will be one fine day. Thanks again. Oh and (blush) you are cute, too.

[sexylove7411]

Well done girl : )

[suzylux]

also australia needs to vote out john howard and the liberal party and get the labor party in there or something. let the gay times roll ;)

[suzylux]

i could listen to an australian accent ALL NIGHT LONNNG.

[mesCheerios]

I dunno, as i watched this my mind was telling me that i was seeing a diverse range of characters. Maybe it's because i have seen most of the films and have other aspects of their personality in consideration. oh and the point about girls just 'happening' to be lesbians in films- well in films not about homosexuality, how should they be portrayed? I enjoyed this anyway, it was very relaxing.

[Tsigana]

Very interesting portrayal of homosexuality in Australian Film...in my view needs more attention.

[temperanceluv81]

oh i new it wasn't a australlian television show, but i didn't realize that it was only movies you were talking about.

[onebeat89]

Yeah, I was only talking about Australian films in this piece.

[temperanceluv81]

you didn't say anything about the lesbian subtext in xena, which ive heard was pretty big in Australia

[onebeat89]

Thanks for the input, however 1) this was about film, not television

and 2) Xena isn't Australian.

[inkedbugg]

Love it...veyr insightful....move to the US honey, there is plenty of girl on girl...even if it does negate the real passion and depth that makes up lesbian relationships...it is still entertaining and they have get ratings somehow...

[iramoneke]

Well done, the commentary has a good feel to it. What are you going to do next?

[onebeat89]

Thanks :) the last production we did was a doco overview of the feminist movement with interviews on what it had become. Unfortunately it probably won't be put on youtube for copyright infringement reasons, owing to the fact that much of the footage we used was on contract from the Aust Film and Sound Archives. Your interest is appreciated though!

[bamtoto911]

thank you

[Jules12198]

Well said! I do believe women need to make a lot more movies about themselves to share their stories and real experiences.

[saskamazon]

very good ... I often wonder of the very safe stereotypical GLBT characters media delivers us , but grateful for all :-) thanx for the upload .

[dandylion81]

That was an interesting mini-feature! Very thoughtful...and the girl commentator, very cute :D Make more...explore further. :)

[fieryfaerie88]

in american movies, the only time you see lesbians, unless you go looking for them, is where it's obviously there for guys fantasies [esentially straight girls who kiss each other]

[thsmdrnlv]

i enjoyed this video. id just like to say that i think people are more comfortable with gay men because often they are portrayed as non sexual beings, and they are camp and funny and safe eg. Bob Downe. when people hear about lesbians usually the first thing they think of is sex.

[SinStudly]

You missed all the Gayboy Bezerkers from Mad Max 2. Is that because they're pretty much the opposite of the points you're trying to make, and disprove everything you've said?

[onebeat89]

Would they be opposite? I'm not really sure. I wanted to focus exclusively (at least for the men) on characters that we knew were gay. I never even considered using Mad Max 2 just because although they looked pretty camp, it wasn't stated and also wasn't a major theme. I read heaps about subtext in films like Gallipoli (which I didn't believe!) but in the end I had a time limit. I also wasn't allowed to use R-rated films, which was why there were no clips from Head On and The Monkey's Mask.

[SinStudly]

Hell, it wasn't stated? Wez the pantless chaps-wearing biker had a homosexual loveslave on a leash, and after he was killed it was explicitly stated that Wez was in love with him.

Still, time limits are time limits. I just love Mad Max :(

[onebeat89]

Really?! I can't believe I missed that!  I remember the guy in the leash but not the onther part. Thanks for pointing out the oversight.

[tckronos]

brilliant, on a side note that ending scene from PQOTD gets me laughing everytime thank you :)

[reinafs]

I didn't know anything about Australian films but now I feel I do cause this was a really well-explained overview for LGBT films. Well-done!

[buttfacekillah]

very good! :-)

[ravensboy]

Intriguing and informative. Thank you for the post.

[ishkahvef]

by the way, you're well sexy!

[ishkahvef]

Isn't it just that Australian film and television is emotionally immature anyway? I mean, when was the last time you even saw an aborigine on 'Neighbours' or 'Home and Away'. If you can't deal with your own indigenous population, how can you possibly deal with any other minority group, or indeed any serious emotional issue?

[sexipants]

i agree with you. gay men wouldn't be as accepted either, if they weren't so 'visible' as u said. when you can see something, you can easily avoid it. ppl love categorising things they don't quite understand it makes their life less complicated. i pity them for lying to themselves.

nice one x

[toscazantos]

Interesting, good analysis, thanks

[Evangelynn]

Very nice.

[XConnie]

great video! i love it! xxxxx 5 stars

[October4th2006]

good analyzing,thoughtful insight,like above sayings,it was grand

[AIDANNE]

This was grand, thanx mate.