Making Sex Public and Other Cinematic Fantasies

This book examines the evolution of sexual representation in cinema, highlighting how Making Sex Public and Other Cinematic Fantasies explores women's and queer identities.

In Making Sex Public and Other Cinematic Fantasies, Damon R. Young delves into the evolution of sexuality as depicted in French and American cinema from the 1950s to the present. He examines how film narratives have reshaped perceptions of sexuality, revealing the complex roles that women and queer individuals have played in this transformation. The late 1950s marked a significant turning point, as cinema began to showcase sexual representations that transcended traditional domesticity and heterosexual norms, allowing for a broader exploration of identity and desire.

Young highlights the emergence of two contrasting narratives that have coexisted within cinematic portrayals. On one side, there is a vision of sex as an integral part of civic life, promoting an understanding of individual freedom and social responsibility. Conversely, there exists a narrative that views women's and queer sexualities as threats to societal stability. Through a transatlantic lens, Young analyzes a wide array of films, from And God Created Woman and Barbarella to Cruising and Shortbus, illustrating how these narratives have evolved over time.

Ultimately, Making Sex Public and Other Cinematic Fantasies offers a compelling exploration of how cinema has not only reflected but also influenced societal attitudes toward sexuality. By positioning women and queer individuals as both agents and subjects of these cinematic transformations, Young invites readers to reconsider the role of film in shaping contemporary understandings of sexual identity and expression.