Male Homosexuality in Brazilian Cinema of the 1960S and 1970S That Addresses Problems in the Extant Scholarship
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Male Homosexuality in Brazilian Cinema of the 1960s and 1970s A thesis submitted to the University of Manchester for the degree of PhD in the Faculty of Humanities 2012 James N. Hodgson School of Arts, Languages and Cultures 2 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 2 Chapter 1: Signs of Deception, Suspicious Activity – Same-Sex Desire in Os cafajestes and Barravento ............................................................................................ 46 Deceptive Desires in Os cafajestes .......................................................................... 54 Barravento: The Activity of Ownership .................................................................. 70 Chapter 2 Male Homosexuality and Sameness in O menino e o vento and A rainha diaba .................................................................. 95 A Queen of Many Colours: A rainha diaba ............................................................. 98 The Initiate of Same-ness: O menino e o vento...................................................... 115 Chapter 3 A Different Kind of Object Queer Men and Same-Sex Desire in Pornochanchada.............................................. 150 Uma verdadeira história de amor: Ambiguous Objects of Desire ........................ 156 Objectification and Male Prostitution in Nos embalos de Ipanema and Corpo devasso ................................................................................................................... 169 Same-Sex Desire and Queer Identities in Os rapazes das calçadas ...................... 186 Chapter 4 Bad Copies: Unfaithful Adaptation and Filial Insubordination in O beijo no asfalto, A casa assassinada and O casamento ........................................................... 197 Heterosexism in O beijo no asfalto ........................................................................ 203 The Depths of Infidelity: Adapting Crônica da casa assassinada ....................... 213 The Erosion of the Family in O casamento ........................................................... 229 Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 247 Filmography ............................................................................................................... 254 Bibliography ........................................................................................................... 25757 Words: 76,360 3 Abstract The representation of homosexuality in the Brazilian cinema of the 1960s and 1970s is generally dismissed as homophobic on the grounds that it confirms stereotypical and oppressive views of homosexual men. While it is true that many films produced during the era repeat conventional notions of sexual identity, this dismissal arguably overlooks a variety of subtle and subversive representations of homosexuality. To contest the prevailing view, eleven films have been selected from important movements of Brazilian cinema of the period; these include examples of avant-garde and popular filmmaking. An analytical approach informed by queer theory – a critical account of homosexuality and sexual identity – is used to make a series of close readings of narrative form and content. It is suggested that the apparent heterosexism of many of the films is shown to be tacitly or accidentally subverted via the implication that sexual identity is unstable and contested. A number of films are shown to illustrate ways in which oppressive hierarchies might be disabled through a reconfiguring of homosexual identity. It is argued that film form – the films’ self- referential or reflexive aspects, as well as the way in which the films construct spectating positions – is the central factor in subverting conventional views of homosexuality. Such form facilitates multiple readings of the content, therefore enabling a queer interpretation to be posited. Ultimately, it is argued that the value of these films lies in the sometimes contradictory fashion in which they present oppressive notions of homosexuality on-screen while at the same time gesturing towards ways in which such oppression could be challenged. 4 Declaration No portion of the work referred to in the thesis has been submitted in support of an application for another degree or qualification of this or any other university or other institute of learning. Copyright Statement i. The author of this thesis (including any appendices and/or schedules to this thesis) owns certain copyright or related rights in it (the “Copyright”) and s/he has given The University of Manchester certain rights to use such Copyright, including for administrative purposes. ii. Copies of this thesis, either in full or in extracts and whether in hard or electronic copy, may be made only in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (as amended) and regulations issued under it or, where appropriate, in accordance with licensing agreements which the University has from time to time. This page must form part of any such copies made. iii. The ownership of certain Copyright, patents, designs, trade marks and other intellectual property (the “Intellectual Property”) and any reproductions of copyright works in the thesis, for example graphs and tables (“Reproductions”), which may be 5 described in this thesis, may not be owned by the author and may be owned by third parties. Such Intellectual Property and Reproductions cannot and must not be made available for use without the prior written permission of the owner(s) of the relevant Intellectual Property and/or Reproductions. iv. Further information on the conditions under which disclosure, publication and commercialisation of this thesis, the Copyright and any Intellectual Property and/or Reproductions described in it may take place is available in the University IP Policy (see http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/DocuInfo.aspx?DocID=487), in any relevant Thesis restriction declarations deposited in the University Library, The University Library’s regulations (see http://www.manchester.ac.uk/library/aboutus/regulations) and in The University’s policy on Presentation of Theses 6 Acknowledgments First of all I would like to thank my examiners, Stephanie Dennison and Lúcia Sá, for an invigorating examination and for providing me with a great deal of useful direction with regards to future publications and research. I am most grateful for your comments and insights, and moreover for the time you took to examine the thesis itself. I would like to thank my supervisors for their unwavering support throughout this project. This thesis would not have been possible without Karl Posso’s absolute dedication to his students and to the supervisory process. His astute insights, insistence on rigour, and meticulous attention to detail helped shape the project into what it is. While his intellectual finesse inspired me to go further, his humour lightened the darker moments and made the three years of study an experience both challenging and enjoyable. Thanks also go to Chris Perriam, whose invaluable comments, encouragement and enthusiasm has sustained me throughout every stage of this project. I greatly appreciated his readiness to offer a new angle on my work, and his willingness to listen to my more outlandish ideas. For the exceptional intelligence, care, time and direction given generously by both my supervisors, I am most grateful. Thanks also goes to David Alderson, whose comments and support was useful throughout the research process. Thanks to the AHRC for funding this project in its entirety. Thanks to Mark Sabine, who inspired the project itself, and who helped me win funding. Thanks to those academics who made me feel welcome in Brazil, including José Gatti, Renato Luiz Pucci Jr, João Luiz Vieira and Denilson Lopes. Huge thanks also goes to the staff at 7 John Rylands Document Supply for their persistence in chasing up some of the more elusive and obscure titles, without which this project would have been particularly difficult. Thanks also goes to Pippa Hennesey for her diligent proofreading. Thanks must go to those individuals who kept me afloat. Muzna Rahman, whose intellectual and emotional support I could not have gone without: you are a rock and a kindred spirit. Mauricio Sellmann, for the long discussions over coffee about everything from pop culture to social theory. Maurice Nagington, for reminding me that I, too, can be part of that world, if I just keep swimming. Dyi Huijg, for the comfort and friendship over the past three years, here and in Brazil, often teamed with delicious vegetarian food. I wish to also acknowledge those friends who I haven’t mentioned here, but whose companionship I drew on throughout the period of research. Thanks to Neil Hodgson and Julia Hodgson for their steadfast belief that I could complete the task in hand; to Tom and Rebecca Hodgson for their humour and trickery, and for keeping me anchored in the real world. Andy Balmer, whose love made the last ten months infinitely bearable. I match your endless patience with an endless gratitude. Thank you. 8 Introduction The representation of homosexuality in Brazilian cinema of the 1960s and 1970s is widely regarded as lamentable by critics.1 The vast majority of the films that deal with the topic, or mention it in passing, have been dismissed for perpetuating intolerance and disparaging the homosexual subject in the name of entertainment – these films sketch outrageous