The Importance of LGBTQ+ Film: Distribution Insights with Effective Pedagogical Practices
The importance of LGBTQ+ feature films and documentaries is more important than ever. Scott Motisko, of Breaking Glass Pictures, says that, “Queer stories need to be told, queer identities need to be seen on screen, queer voices need to be heard. That’s the only way forward.” I wanted to get a different perspective from that of a librarian, so I looked at the distributor side of streaming and asked Scott, who is the Vice President of Acquisitions, Business Development and Sales at Breaking Glass Pictures, a few questions about the company’s content and the future of streaming.
“All I know is that the streaming landscape will continue to evolve and distribution models will have to evolve with it.”
Quite a few streaming video services showcase their LGBTQ+ offerings during pride month, but there is a wide variety of streaming LBGTQ+ content with more new films and documentaries coming out each month. The access to queer film is better than ever for the consumer. Well-produced films have many distributers that purposefully distribute queer film. Some of these are Wolfe Releasing, Breaking Glass Pictures, Frameline, Passion River, TLA Releasing, and many others. These distributors have been encouraging independent filmmakers in producing inclusive content, allowing for more queer voices to tell their stories. So, why is this a big deal? When I asked Scott about how important it is for these voices to be heard, he replied, “LGBTQ+ representation in film is so important, especially in today’s world. Since its inception, Breaking Glass Pictures has made it a point to release LGBTQ+ films and get them in front of the widest audience possible.” Scott also addressed the future of distribution saying that streaming media is here to stay! “Perhaps streaming will permeate the Metaverse, or perhaps FAST channels (free, ad-supported streaming channels) will take things back toward a network station mode. All I know is that the streaming landscape will continue to evolve and distribution models will have to evolve with it.” He also believes that physical media will always have a place for personal collections and physical media for libraries.
Thinking about classroom use of media and specifically LGBTQ+ content, introducing multicultural and queer content in the classroom is important for inclusion and representation. Why is this? Those of us that have grown up in a white, heteronormative world have been shaped by what we see on TV and at the movies. It is a rarity that a major queer film, with queer leading actors, is ever seen in the movie theater. Just a handful come out with A-list actors that cause controversy, sparking discussions around the dinner table and elsewhere. This lack of representation reinforces the idea that queer identities don’t quite fit in with the perceived world. Seeing others like us – different sexualities and skin colors – helps all children and young adults see the world as one of diverse strengths where we can learn from one another.
To get another perspective on this idea of inclusive media viewing, I asked one of my library student workers for their honest thoughts on the topic. He told me that if he was exposed to more diverse films in high school, that it would be better overall and would most likely cause less anxiety later in his life when encountering people that are different from him. Early exposure to different people, different identities, and different ways of living, can reduce prejudices as well as anxiety, and better prepare a student for the diverse environments of higher education and ultimately the workforce. One of the best quotes I’ve found regarding this is, “While one stereotypical depiction of a queer person may be harmless in a vacuum, the cumulative effect of queer characters framed as weak, ineffectual, asexual or worse can significantly shape the broader society’s opinion of queer people, particularly for young people whose own lives may be without queer role models” (Crewe, 2015).
“It is a pivotal time for LGBTQ+ issues in US politics and within education, and I think LGBTQ+ stories portrayed in film can help further the conversation that needs to happen.”
Examining this issue from a pedagogical standpoint, one of the best tasks is to investigate queer representation in film and television and dissect thecharacters. What is the best practice when utilizing LGBTQ+ films and documentaries in the classroom? A brief survey of literature does not provide a very robust answer. Activities looking at queer representation, “may require rules in order to ensure that students are respectful and considerate in the approach to the topic” (Crewe, 2015). Often resorting to the exploitation side of LGBTQ+ in cinema, pointing out the stereotypical “sissy, victim, and villain” can help students explore the negative impact on the community. Another way that faculty can look at queer cinema is to look at the other side of the camera. Just as one looks at a painting and considers the life of the artist, a film can be looked at by taking into account the director and/or writer(s). Quite often, their influence on the screen can be seen if one looks deep enough. Films such as Philadelphia starring Tom Hanks have plenty of literature surrounding the film to examine with an academic lens. Faculty can inadvertently make pedagogical decisions that leave some students behind, even while employing inclusive teaching practices. Encouraging student discussion and feedback to help address these gaps – either directly or anonymously, can be a learning experience. Scott stated he has always been a proponent of film being used to supplement any curriculum. His response, “There are a ton of films that explore the LGBTQ+ experience, as well as a plethora of critically-acclaimed documentaries covering historically significant and topical events, Before Stonewall (1984) and Call Her Ganda (2018) come to mind in particular. It is a pivotal time for LGBTQ+ issues in US politics and within education, and I think LGBTQ+ stories portrayed in film can help further the conversation that needs to happen.”
My own opinion is that the world needs more independent queer filmmakers! Doing a little bit of digging, I discovered Reel Queer Youth, an annual summer camp that provides a safe and inclusive learning environment for LGBTQ+ youth that are interested in filmmaking. One participant said, “As a queer young person, I was shy, afraid of rejection, afraid to speak, and afraid to be myself and share ideas” (Scahill, 2017). I asked Scott if he had any advice for up and coming LGBTQ+ filmmakers and he said, “The best advice I can give…is this: become part of your community. Go to the film festivals, attend the events, get social and support your fellow filmmakers work and promote your own.” He also stated that the most important thing is to meet people and cultivate those relationships. That is good advice coming from inside the industry!
Works Cited
Crewe, D. (2015). Over the Rainbow. Screen Education, 76, 50-59.
Scahill, A. (2017). The Reelness: Queer Film Festivals and Youth Media Training. Cinema Journal, 57:1, 146-150.
