Film Matters: Please tell us about your article that is being published in Film Matters.
Sam Lawson: I have consistently found myself drawn to the analysis of LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream media; as such, my article was a result of my frequent consumption of films geared toward heterosexual audiences which feature queer characters and themes. My focus on De Palma was somewhat coincidental; I had compiled several neo-noir films which dealt thematically with LGBTQ+ topics and realized, based on the sheer number of his films which “fit the bill,” it would be in my best interest to focus on De Palma as an auteur.
FM: What research and/or methodologies do you incorporate in your article?
SL: My article lies primarily within the sectors of gender studies and queer theory; however, the stylistic movements of film noir/neo-noir are also crucial to my gender/sexuality-based analysis.
FM: Describe the original context for/when writing this article while an undergraduate student.
SL: I initially wrote this article as the major assignment for a class I took on film noirwith Dr. Philippa Gates.
FM: How has your department and/or institution supported your work in film and media?
SL: My experiences at Wilfrid Laurier University have been overwhelmingly positive. The Film Studies department at Laurier has consistently been supportive and approachable, thus encouraging me to reach (and surpass) my academic goals. Laurier’s faculty suggested that I submit my work to Film Matters and I am grateful that they did.
FM: How has your faculty mentor fostered your advancement as a film scholar?
SL: As someone who began my undergraduate degree slightly later than most of my peers, I was admittedly nervous about re-entering an academic environment; however, Dr. Gates’s genuine concern for her students alongside her constructive criticism ensured that my transition into postsecondary studies was smooth and successful. The knowledge she has bestowed upon me as both a professor and a supervisor has, without a doubt, proved invaluable as I have progressed in my studies.
FM: How has the Film Matters editorial and publication process impacted the development/evolution of your article?
SL: The publication process of Film Matters has proved to be an exciting venture. I was very interested in experiencing the blind review process, as this was the first paper I have ever submitted to an academic journal. After undergoing this process, I was thrilled to hear that my article was chosen for publication – certainly, this pushed me to review my article thoroughly and create a stronger finished product.
FM: What audience do you hope to reach with your Film Matters article and/or what impact do you hope it has on the field of film studies?
SL: Though this article is ultimately a very small contribution in the ever-growing studies of queer representation in cinema, I am hopeful that it prompts viewers to contemplate the sheer number of LGBTQ+ stereotypes which are often present in popular filmmaking; even the smallest shift in perspective can drastically alter the message or messages of a given film when one attempts to view it through someone else’s eyes.
FM: What are your future plans?
SL: After I complete my undergraduate studies at Wilfrid Laurier University, I will be pursuing my graduate degree in Cinema Studies at the University of Toronto.
Author Biography
Sam Lawson is currently completing the final year of her Honours Bachelor Degree of Arts in Film Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University. She is currently working as a research assistant for Dr. Philippa Gates, assisting with the completion of Dr. Gates’s upcoming book, The Yellow Imperiled Frontier: Chinese Immigration Through Classical Hollywood Borderland Films.
