Summary

The web content provides an overview of queer representation in three distinct media properties: "Snowpiercer," "Blockers," and "Booksmart," highlighting the diverse and empowering portrayals of LGBTQ+ characters within each narrative.

Abstract

The article discusses the significance of LGBTQ+ characters in contemporary media, focusing on the TV adaptation of "Snowpiercer," the film "Blockers," and the movie "Booksmart." It emphasizes the importance of queer representation in dystopian storytelling, teen comedies, and coming-of-age narratives. The piece underscores the variety of queer identities portrayed, including lesbian, pansexual, genderfluid, bisexual, and pangender characters, and praises the directors and writers for their commitment to authentic and intersectional representation. The article also touches on the impact of these roles on audiences and the broader cultural shift towards normalizing queer experiences in mainstream media.

Opinions

The author views the "Snowpiercer" TV adaptation as a queer-friendly narrative, appreciating its diverse cast of LGBTQ+ characters and their integral roles in the story.
"Blockers" is recognized for its contribution to queer representation, particularly for its director's decision to include a lesbian relationship, which was not present in the original script.
The article suggests that the presence of queer characters in media is becoming more commonplace, signaling a positive shift in the representation paradigm.
"Booksmart" is celebrated for its portrayal of queer female leads and supporting characters, with the author drawing parallels to classic coming-of-age films but emphasizing the queer perspective.
The author expresses admiration for the actors' performances, particularly noting the authenticity brought to the roles by LGBTQ+ actors.
The piece acknowledges the broader societal implications of queer representation in media, suggesting that it not only reflects but also influences cultural attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community.

Dear Writers: Three Stories about Ten Queer Girls (and two queer boys) Discovering Their True Power

SNOWPIERCER

At some point in the hopefully not-so-near future, humanity barely survives global warming by accidentally sending Earth into a deep freeze. Humanity survives THAT when a few people are allowed to board Snowpiercer, an absurdly-long train with everything a person could want. Even class warfare!

More-so than the film adaptation starring Captain America, this dystopian show is adapted from the original French graphic novels. And just like a cosmopolitan flavor that’s hard to get outside of Paris, the TNT TV adaptation features the queerest joi de vivre you’ll find this side of the apocalypse.

It’s cast of queer characters includes:

Bess (lesbian): a former rookie cop before the world turned to ice, her no-nonsense attitude coupled with her bottomless heart gets her promoted to the train’s detective

Jinju (lesbian): a chef we first meet diving for what might be the last coral reef in the world, she can’t resist the siren call of revolution, even if it threatens her one shot at true love

Zarah (pansexual, genderfluid): a cabaret singer and the proprietor of the Night Car (aka the most amazing queer bar ever), her role now is to use vulnerability and intimacy to help people process the grief of being the last survivors

John (bi-sexual…?): a talented pianist and former mid-field soccer player, this is a character that pushes the boundaries of good taste with the serial killers he chooses for lovers

BLOCKERS

Think of this as American Pie, but for queer teens. Okay, only 50% is for queer teens. The other 50% is for their parents. And like any good family, one of the fathers is played by John Cena. Along with being nominated for a GLAAD Media Award, the movie received a ReFrame Stamp for recognition in “standout, gender-balanced” films.

The breakout queer stars of the movie include:

Sam (lesbian): the closeted queer one in her friend group, while her friends vow to assert their womanhood at prom, Sam vows to use this event to make her move with Angelica

Angelica (lesbian): a hopelessly queer theater kid who’s wearing a velvet cape she originally made for Lord of the Rings, but it was too pretty not to wear again, and good thing given who she runs into…

Angelica’s Lord of the Rings Cosplay Cape (pangender, asexual): the star of the show, they were humble enough to request their name not be used on the poster for fear it would overshadow the rest of the cast

The movie’s director, Kay Cannon, takes credit for Sam being a queer character. In the original script, she was straight. And as Joanna Robinson notes in her article for Vanity Fair, casting Chinese-American Ramona Young as Sam’s love interest” manifested an even “broader level of representation and intersectional queerness in her film.”

It’s a testament to Kay’s vision that the studio didn’t even push back.

The divide between audiences hasn’t been whether the movie is good or bad, just whether Sam and Angelica being queer on screen (and kissing?!) is revolutionary.

The movie’s much-younger star doesn’t deny the impact of queer representation, or her own part in advancing that representation. Her position, in fact, signals just how far the paradigm has already shifted.

On the surface, it might seem like Gideon’s response dismisses the significance of the queer struggle for representation. On the other hand, it’s kind of hopeful. Queer girls show up often enough now that just seeing one is no longer as remarkable as it once needed to be.

BOOKSMART

How did Olivia Wilde do it? Her stunning debut about two high school bookworms taking their last chance to PARTY the night before graduation is the queer girl version of Superbad or Adventureland. Or rather, they’re the straight boy versions of Booksmart. It’s my article, so the laws of time travel apply.

First, there’s Molly, played by Beanie Feldstein, the real-life sister of Jonah Hill (who had his own incredible directorial debut with Mid-90s). While her character only pursues cishet romances in the movie, Beanie is as queer as it gets in real life. Let’s assume Molly had such good advice for her lesbian best friend because, well, she’s just as invested in being a good partner for other women.

Second, there’s Amy, played by Kaitlyn Dever, the movie’s main character lesbian. Her best friend Molly says tonight is the night to prove to everyone they aren’t the boring girls who never did anything fun in high school. Amy is just hoping to make a move on the skateboarding queen of her dreams.

Third, there’s Ryan, played by Victoria Ruesga, a real-life skateboarder giving us the skateboard trick rep we need. There are as many pleasant surprises between her and Amy as there are unpleasant ones, but that’s part of the joy of the character and the movie. Ryan is one of Cameron Crowe’s uncool. Never part of the popular crowd, but who cares? Skateboarders catch bigger air.

Fourth, there’s Hope, played by Diana Silvers. She’s the hot but angry girl in the corner of the classroom laughing at everyone. She knows a secret no one else knows. If everyone could see past her snark, they’d see she’s actually the coolest person in the room.

BONUS QUEER BOYS include Alan and George, played respectively by Austin Crute and Noah Galvin.

Speaking on his performance as Alan, Crute said: “Alan basically gave me…the liberty to explore queerness in a more organic feminine energy way.”

And as for Noah? After you watch his emotional rendition of “You Oughta Know,” you will never listen to Alanis Morissette the same way.

QUOTES

“Why would you do theater when you can do debate??”

“I’m incredible at handjobs, but I also got a 1560 on the SAT.”

“I couldn’t be less interested in like…whatever this is.”

THE END

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