Presentation About Monsters In The Closet: Lesbianand Gay Film Festival

The program is free and open to the public. No registration is required. Parking will be available in the Central Library garage for a $5 special event rate.

The presentation will examine gay and lesbian subtext in horror movies. It will explore the role of the “monster queer” throughout film history and demonstrate how horror films reveal society’s fear of the outsider, while ***** audiences identify with ostracized monsters.

Benshoff will provide commentary illustrated by scenes from horror movies, including “The Bride of Frankenstein,” “Cat People,” “Psycho,” “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” “A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge,” “Hellraiser” and “The Silence of the Lambs.” Benshoff will also show scenes from films by out gay directors, including “Poison,” “The Brotherhood” and “Hellbent.”

Benshoff wrote the book, “Monsters in the Closet: Homosexuality and the Horror Film” and he co-authored the books, “America on Film: Representing Race, Class, Gender and Sexuality at the Movies” and “***** Images: A History of Gay and Lesbian Film in America.” He was the co-editor of the book, “***** Cinema: The Film Reader.” He is an associate professor in the Department of Radio, Television and Film at the University of North Texas.

For more information, call The Seattle Public Library at 206-386-4636.

Date and Time:
Sunday, October 19, 2008 , 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

Location:
The Seattle Public Library - Central Branch
1000 Fourth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104