Essay
How has the representation of transvesties changed throughout film and the media, with particual reference to ‘Kinky Boots’.
Transvestism has been placed under the category of comedy in main stream film and media, modern society has now began to embrace this. Over years of television the media has provided the audience with a model and stereotypical views of the male and female and their masculine and feminie roles. After the third wave feminism gender and sexuality became more acceptable in society in queer cinema, audiences have began to take on and understand the different issues of ‘The Other’. This alternative comical entertainment has been around for decades, from ‘Some Like it Hot’ (1959) starring Marilyn Monroe, to more recent films such as ‘She’s the Man’(2006), all of which are comedies. ‘Kinky Boots’, is also an alternative comedy, the main character follows various stereotypes of a transvestite yet coverts some, being a ‘hero’ at the end.
During the period of WW1 women began to take on masculine roles working in factories rather than the typical female roles. Once the war was over, women had different views on their domestic future. Mackinnon mentions that there were ‘efforts by the popular media to create guilt in women who chose careers over home-making and motherhood’[1] in the 1950’s. Showing that the media has a certain amount of power over society and how they view issues. Once third-wave-feminism took place in the early 1990’s, which gave an expansion on the definitions of gender and sexuality. Society began to except that not only women were about to become liberated but also other sexualities.
A very popular film, being one of the first comedies in mainstream film to express the views of cross-dressing, ‘Some Like It Hot’ (1959) directed by Billy Wilder, was a great success. Although this is a vast improvement compared to the previous, non-existence of these issues, which did exist in society at the time. However this film may have shown the issues with cross-dressing, it didn’t express it fully. What the audience consumes is always mediated, meaning its less real and a more constructed version of reality. Yet it still helped society view a more realistic view of cross-dressing, although in a comical way.
The film ‘Kinky Boots’ (2005), an alternative comedy drama, presents the audience with a representation of transvestites being loud, unattractive and full with underlying issues and problems. Today society is more open to view different sexualities and controversial views, and not just in art house films, but mainstream. In this film transvestites have been shown as abnormal and over the top characters, yet this is obviously not a realistic portrayal of every transvestite.
The main character in ‘Kinky Boots’, Lola is a black male who is dressed as a transvestite, this creates much controversy, as she can be viewed as ‘The Other’ [2] as mentioned by the theorist, Nandy (1937) due to the characters gender and ethnicity. Being such a controversial character Lola would have been viewed as ‘chaotically violent’, cowardly and barbaric in Nandy’s eyes. Although as times have progressed the stereotypes of ethnic minorities have changed with this, and more positive images of the ‘Black character’ have appeared in the media, Lola has both positive and negative sides to her character, yet this helps the audience to identify with the character, and become more involved in the film.
The representation of gay men in TV and film has become more apparent, and gender roles are becoming more equalised than in the past. Before women weren’t seen as very strong characters and given main roles during the ‘1950’s, 60’s and 70’s, only 20 to 35 per cent of characters were female’ according to research by Gunter (1995). Although in recent television women are increasingly more successful and in turn with this the roles of homosexual characters have risen. Including TV programs such as ‘Will and Grace’, which is still on going, and the very successful and popular ‘Friends’. The character of Chandlers mother played the role of a transvestite, even though this is a small part its still significant. Both these programs represent homosexual characters in a positive way, yet still use them in a comical way.
‘Kinky Boots’, being a comedy, deals with very serious issues as transvestites are trying to become comfortable with their differences. Many views of transvestites in this film are very positive, therefore, to the audience watching, this makes them feel comfortable with identifying with the characters. This film encourages the audience to view things in an alternative way and gives ‘The Other’ point of view. Also many of the viewers would be of this group, this would encourage people to become more relaxed with their own sexuality.
The representation of gender an sexuality in comedy is very experimental, linking to programs such as the ‘Goon Show’ (1950’s). This film, ‘Kinky Boots’ is similar to that of art house, with controversial style and ideas, yet it has been caught in the main stream. A theorist Steven Neale moves further than just Laura Mulvey’s theory and mentions that ‘men can be the subject of voyeuristic looking also’[3] (1983). Showing that its not just the women who suffer from the male gaze. Men are also put under immense pressure to look the part, therefore this is reinforcing the idea that men and women are becoming increasingly equal in many different ways.
‘Some Like It Hot’ (1959) and ‘Kinky Boots’ (2005) are very similar texts, even though the time between them is very different. Both of them represent gender and sexuality through transvestites and comedy. ‘Some Like It Hot’ seems to come across as much more comical and doesn’t seem to address any of the serious issues transvestites face. On the other hand ‘Kinky Boots’ seems to deal with the underlying issues of sexuality and its problems, but also has a comical element to it. The film ‘Kinky Boots’ is all about how one man tries to find his identity. Since the rise in feminism and ‘girl power’ the third wave feminism has helped increase the audiences awareness and acceptance of different sexualities. As the media reflects society, the audience are more open to alternative comedy, such as this.
It could be argued that in the past many groups were ignored or underrepresented, as mentioned by Bathes (1977) ‘absent presence’[4]. Some groups are deemed invisible.
Transvestites were one of these groups and in the present they are still inaccurately represented through the media. Gauntlett argues the in contemporary society, gender roles are more complex than the media puts across. Although in many films the story line and complexity of the characters is ‘dumbed down’ for the audience, as it would be to complex. Also audiences are use to familiarity to make them feel more comfortable.
In the media, in the past the audience weren’t very free to watch what they wanted, as the channels were to a minimum. Society was also heavily controlled by the media and weren’t as open as today’s society. Therefore watching ‘The Other’ didn’t really appeal to anyone at the time. In today’s society audiences have a much broader selection of what they want to watch, giving them the freedom of choice. As the choice is very wide audiences are more open to alternative films and media. Art house film are beginning to gain recognition from a wider audience, even though it’s still limited. Although there are much easier ways of getting a film out, e.g. the Internet.
‘Kinky Boots’ is different from past comedy such as ‘Some Like It Hot’ as ‘The Other’ is represented as the hero of the film, who saves the day. This is unusual for a transvestite, as they are often placed as a character to use in comedy in most of film and the media. Therefore this film converts the stereotypical views the audience would have. Has this character and many other transvestites along with her become the hero, this places this group in a positive light, not just as comical characters, but more complex characters. This lets the audience become more open minded as they may have different views on this group.
From the 1960’s the ‘homoerotic films of Andy Warhol and George Kuchar began to find wider audiences’[5] also audiences demanded wider networks of film, this was when art house became popular, as people now have more freedom to watch what they want.
Another text from the past, which is also one of the first few transvestites’ films, is ‘Glen or Glenda?’ (1953) Directed and starred in by Edward. D. Wood, which was inspired by his own experiences. This made Wood’s film seem more authentic as he was trying to portray his views on the issues that have occurred during his life. Although this is another comedy, films that feature transvestism in a more serious way are quite unknown. Portraying this group as just a humorous and entertaining type creates yet another negative stereotype as they are used as amusement for society. Changes are beginning to be made in the 21st century, as this main text proves just that. With the main focus on a transvestite, and how he copes with life in this way.
Even in the music industry gender and sexuality is becoming more accepted, the most recent and obvious music video released linking directly to transvestites is ‘She’s Madonna’ sung by Robbie Williams. This introduces a controversial view of transvestites, showing them as unattractive, tedious characters who sit in a bar overly dressed and smoking. This is obviously a very negative stereotype of transvestites and the message Robbie Williams is trying to put across is very unclear. There is also an interview with Robbie Williams, as he is dressed up in drag, placed through out the song. In this role he talks about how ‘life wasn’t easy’ and seems to be in a sense mocking this group, also creating various negative stereotypes.
On the other hand again ‘Kinky Boots’ creates much more positive stereotypes of transvestites, in one particular scene as a whole rather a minority of this group is viewed as very forgiving and they gain heroic like qualities, and save the day. One of the characters in a leading role was in a position were he needed Lola’s help, just as he thought she had disappointed him and let him down Lola turned up. This character didn’t just save the day and the characters job but also went out dancing and singing on stage. This may be a typical trait of a transvestite, although becoming the hero of a film is very controversial.
This film may be placed under comedy although its also a drama, and deals with very serious issues concerning transvestites and how they are viewed. A character which creates the conflict during the film is homophobic. He does not want to be near Lola as he was embarrassed in front of his colloquies as he tried it on with her and then found that she was a male. He was then viewed as the villainous character as he tried to get his own back on Lola. As he did so other characters did not appreciate what he was trying to do.
Overall from 'Some like it Hot' to 'Kinky Boots' its shown that the media and society are changing each other. 'Kinky Boots' is a more open and understanding text were as 'Some Like It Hot' is more for entertainment than the awareness of transvestities. The definition of transvestite is changing, although is still not fully accepted in society, unless in a comical way. In pervious years they were shown as 'The Other' for entertainment only. Nowdays the media is trying to portray them in a more positive light, as characters with big personalities. Transvestites are still stereotyped and unrepresented, although this view will change, as did feminism and gay rights.
[1] MacKinnion, Kenneth (2003): Representing men, Maleness and Masculinity in the Media. Great Britain: Arnold. Pg3
[2]
[3] Neale, Steven (1983) An introduction to film studies, third edition. USA and Canada: Routledge pg 264.
[4] Barthes (1977) absent presence
[5] Warhol, Andy
Transvestism has been placed under the category of comedy in main stream film and media, modern society has now began to embrace this. Over years of television the media has provided the audience with a model and stereotypical views of the male and female and their masculine and feminie roles. After the third wave feminism gender and sexuality became more acceptable in society in queer cinema, audiences have began to take on and understand the different issues of ‘The Other’. This alternative comical entertainment has been around for decades, from ‘Some Like it Hot’ (1959) starring Marilyn Monroe, to more recent films such as ‘She’s the Man’(2006), all of which are comedies. ‘Kinky Boots’, is also an alternative comedy, the main character follows various stereotypes of a transvestite yet coverts some, being a ‘hero’ at the end.
During the period of WW1 women began to take on masculine roles working in factories rather than the typical female roles. Once the war was over, women had different views on their domestic future. Mackinnon mentions that there were ‘efforts by the popular media to create guilt in women who chose careers over home-making and motherhood’[1] in the 1950’s. Showing that the media has a certain amount of power over society and how they view issues. Once third-wave-feminism took place in the early 1990’s, which gave an expansion on the definitions of gender and sexuality. Society began to except that not only women were about to become liberated but also other sexualities.
A very popular film, being one of the first comedies in mainstream film to express the views of cross-dressing, ‘Some Like It Hot’ (1959) directed by Billy Wilder, was a great success. Although this is a vast improvement compared to the previous, non-existence of these issues, which did exist in society at the time. However this film may have shown the issues with cross-dressing, it didn’t express it fully. What the audience consumes is always mediated, meaning its less real and a more constructed version of reality. Yet it still helped society view a more realistic view of cross-dressing, although in a comical way.
The film ‘Kinky Boots’ (2005), an alternative comedy drama, presents the audience with a representation of transvestites being loud, unattractive and full with underlying issues and problems. Today society is more open to view different sexualities and controversial views, and not just in art house films, but mainstream. In this film transvestites have been shown as abnormal and over the top characters, yet this is obviously not a realistic portrayal of every transvestite.
The main character in ‘Kinky Boots’, Lola is a black male who is dressed as a transvestite, this creates much controversy, as she can be viewed as ‘The Other’ [2] as mentioned by the theorist, Nandy (1937) due to the characters gender and ethnicity. Being such a controversial character Lola would have been viewed as ‘chaotically violent’, cowardly and barbaric in Nandy’s eyes. Although as times have progressed the stereotypes of ethnic minorities have changed with this, and more positive images of the ‘Black character’ have appeared in the media, Lola has both positive and negative sides to her character, yet this helps the audience to identify with the character, and become more involved in the film.
The representation of gay men in TV and film has become more apparent, and gender roles are becoming more equalised than in the past. Before women weren’t seen as very strong characters and given main roles during the ‘1950’s, 60’s and 70’s, only 20 to 35 per cent of characters were female’ according to research by Gunter (1995). Although in recent television women are increasingly more successful and in turn with this the roles of homosexual characters have risen. Including TV programs such as ‘Will and Grace’, which is still on going, and the very successful and popular ‘Friends’. The character of Chandlers mother played the role of a transvestite, even though this is a small part its still significant. Both these programs represent homosexual characters in a positive way, yet still use them in a comical way.
‘Kinky Boots’, being a comedy, deals with very serious issues as transvestites are trying to become comfortable with their differences. Many views of transvestites in this film are very positive, therefore, to the audience watching, this makes them feel comfortable with identifying with the characters. This film encourages the audience to view things in an alternative way and gives ‘The Other’ point of view. Also many of the viewers would be of this group, this would encourage people to become more relaxed with their own sexuality.
The representation of gender an sexuality in comedy is very experimental, linking to programs such as the ‘Goon Show’ (1950’s). This film, ‘Kinky Boots’ is similar to that of art house, with controversial style and ideas, yet it has been caught in the main stream. A theorist Steven Neale moves further than just Laura Mulvey’s theory and mentions that ‘men can be the subject of voyeuristic looking also’[3] (1983). Showing that its not just the women who suffer from the male gaze. Men are also put under immense pressure to look the part, therefore this is reinforcing the idea that men and women are becoming increasingly equal in many different ways.
‘Some Like It Hot’ (1959) and ‘Kinky Boots’ (2005) are very similar texts, even though the time between them is very different. Both of them represent gender and sexuality through transvestites and comedy. ‘Some Like It Hot’ seems to come across as much more comical and doesn’t seem to address any of the serious issues transvestites face. On the other hand ‘Kinky Boots’ seems to deal with the underlying issues of sexuality and its problems, but also has a comical element to it. The film ‘Kinky Boots’ is all about how one man tries to find his identity. Since the rise in feminism and ‘girl power’ the third wave feminism has helped increase the audiences awareness and acceptance of different sexualities. As the media reflects society, the audience are more open to alternative comedy, such as this.
It could be argued that in the past many groups were ignored or underrepresented, as mentioned by Bathes (1977) ‘absent presence’[4]. Some groups are deemed invisible.
Transvestites were one of these groups and in the present they are still inaccurately represented through the media. Gauntlett argues the in contemporary society, gender roles are more complex than the media puts across. Although in many films the story line and complexity of the characters is ‘dumbed down’ for the audience, as it would be to complex. Also audiences are use to familiarity to make them feel more comfortable.
In the media, in the past the audience weren’t very free to watch what they wanted, as the channels were to a minimum. Society was also heavily controlled by the media and weren’t as open as today’s society. Therefore watching ‘The Other’ didn’t really appeal to anyone at the time. In today’s society audiences have a much broader selection of what they want to watch, giving them the freedom of choice. As the choice is very wide audiences are more open to alternative films and media. Art house film are beginning to gain recognition from a wider audience, even though it’s still limited. Although there are much easier ways of getting a film out, e.g. the Internet.
‘Kinky Boots’ is different from past comedy such as ‘Some Like It Hot’ as ‘The Other’ is represented as the hero of the film, who saves the day. This is unusual for a transvestite, as they are often placed as a character to use in comedy in most of film and the media. Therefore this film converts the stereotypical views the audience would have. Has this character and many other transvestites along with her become the hero, this places this group in a positive light, not just as comical characters, but more complex characters. This lets the audience become more open minded as they may have different views on this group.
From the 1960’s the ‘homoerotic films of Andy Warhol and George Kuchar began to find wider audiences’[5] also audiences demanded wider networks of film, this was when art house became popular, as people now have more freedom to watch what they want.
Another text from the past, which is also one of the first few transvestites’ films, is ‘Glen or Glenda?’ (1953) Directed and starred in by Edward. D. Wood, which was inspired by his own experiences. This made Wood’s film seem more authentic as he was trying to portray his views on the issues that have occurred during his life. Although this is another comedy, films that feature transvestism in a more serious way are quite unknown. Portraying this group as just a humorous and entertaining type creates yet another negative stereotype as they are used as amusement for society. Changes are beginning to be made in the 21st century, as this main text proves just that. With the main focus on a transvestite, and how he copes with life in this way.
Even in the music industry gender and sexuality is becoming more accepted, the most recent and obvious music video released linking directly to transvestites is ‘She’s Madonna’ sung by Robbie Williams. This introduces a controversial view of transvestites, showing them as unattractive, tedious characters who sit in a bar overly dressed and smoking. This is obviously a very negative stereotype of transvestites and the message Robbie Williams is trying to put across is very unclear. There is also an interview with Robbie Williams, as he is dressed up in drag, placed through out the song. In this role he talks about how ‘life wasn’t easy’ and seems to be in a sense mocking this group, also creating various negative stereotypes.
On the other hand again ‘Kinky Boots’ creates much more positive stereotypes of transvestites, in one particular scene as a whole rather a minority of this group is viewed as very forgiving and they gain heroic like qualities, and save the day. One of the characters in a leading role was in a position were he needed Lola’s help, just as he thought she had disappointed him and let him down Lola turned up. This character didn’t just save the day and the characters job but also went out dancing and singing on stage. This may be a typical trait of a transvestite, although becoming the hero of a film is very controversial.
This film may be placed under comedy although its also a drama, and deals with very serious issues concerning transvestites and how they are viewed. A character which creates the conflict during the film is homophobic. He does not want to be near Lola as he was embarrassed in front of his colloquies as he tried it on with her and then found that she was a male. He was then viewed as the villainous character as he tried to get his own back on Lola. As he did so other characters did not appreciate what he was trying to do.
Overall from 'Some like it Hot' to 'Kinky Boots' its shown that the media and society are changing each other. 'Kinky Boots' is a more open and understanding text were as 'Some Like It Hot' is more for entertainment than the awareness of transvestities. The definition of transvestite is changing, although is still not fully accepted in society, unless in a comical way. In pervious years they were shown as 'The Other' for entertainment only. Nowdays the media is trying to portray them in a more positive light, as characters with big personalities. Transvestites are still stereotyped and unrepresented, although this view will change, as did feminism and gay rights.
[1] MacKinnion, Kenneth (2003): Representing men, Maleness and Masculinity in the Media. Great Britain: Arnold. Pg3
[2]
[3] Neale, Steven (1983) An introduction to film studies, third edition. USA and Canada: Routledge pg 264.
[4] Barthes (1977) absent presence
[5] Warhol, Andy
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