Building a timeline for LGBTQ+ Global Cinemas (1895-2019): Movie Production Trends from a Collaborative Internet Cinema Database

Hernandez Perez, M; Sanchéz Soriano, JJ

Abstract

This paper examines the role of cinema as a reflection of reality and social change. IMDb (Internet Movie Database) was employed as the main data source in order to examine the representation of LGBTQ+ in global cinema in parallel with the analysis of key milestones in recognizing sexual diversity rights. The movies selected for the analysis were coded by country, language, historical periods, genre, and age rating. The results show, among other findings, greater cinema production in those national markets with legislation favorable to the LGBTQ+ community, such as same-sex marriage laws. Findings reveal also a greater volume of production in the decades with a significant development of civil rights; a predominance of the ‘gay’ descriptor to the detriment of other terms associated to the LGBTQ+ community, and a higher incidence of genres such as drama and the drama/comedy combination in contrast to other traditions such as action/adventure and animation.

Citation

Hernandez Perez, M., & Sanchéz Soriano, J. (2023). Building a timeline for LGBTQ+ Global Cinemas (1895-2019): Movie Production Trends from a Collaborative Internet Cinema Database. Journal of Film and Video, 75(1), 46-61. https://doi.org/10.5406/19346018.75.1.04

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 15, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Apr 1, 2023
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2023
• Deposit Date: May 15, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 2, 2024
• Journal: Journal of Film and Video
• Print ISSN: 0742-4671
• Electronic ISSN: 1934-6018
• Publisher: University Film and Video Association
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 75
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 46-61
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.5406/19346018.75.1.04
• Publisher URL: https://www.press.uillinois.edu/journals/?id=jfv
• Additional Information: Funders : Spanish Ministry of Culture, Science and Sports