Sociology and Criminology-Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

The Israeli Contribution and Evolution to LGBT Cinema: LGBT IsraeliRepresentations from the 1980s until Today

Maya Schwartz Laufer

This research explores the cinematic representation evolution of LGBT characters in Israeli cinema. Do Israeli LGBT characters receive adequate amount of media exposure within Israeli cinema? Are they represented as “mainstream” or “Queer” and stereotypical? Has the representation evolved over the years? Or has it stayed the same? This research compares different Israeli LGBT oriented films, from the 1980s to today; the different LGBT stereotypes presented, the shattering of this community masculine vs. Feminine Gays and Lesbians image throughout media history and the need to become mainstream opposed to Queer, and simply blend into the majority of the population. In the beginning of the millennium – just like the rest of the modern world took cinema towards the future; Israeli gay filmmakers began creating films devoid of stereotypes and actually told a real honest story, which helped various audiences related to those LGBT characters. It is very clear that the Israeli film industry has come a long way from the 1980s until today. In the past five years you cannot find LGBT films that show LGBT characters in a stereotypical way, and the representation of those characters are always positive.