As Reale stated "Although initially a box-office flop, The Rocky Horror Picture Show eventually became a cult hit and is now famous for the extensive audience participation developed by the midnight-movie crowd who provided initial showings of the film with its only audience."
A film is only as good as its audience. A film is one person/two people's ideas transformed into a vision and a piece of art that they assume others will enjoy and love as much as them. Passive viewers that watch mainstream films such as Elf, Annie, Harry Potter, E.T. watch them for their light-hearted humour, storylines and easy-viewing but as soon as films delve into social, political or cultural struggles, complex story-lines, the audience soon becomes narrower. And a solid example of this is The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Transvestites, aliens and the power of 'the others' makes those whom are used to power e.g. straight, white, men feel uncomfortable, undermined and intimidated. However, for those 'outsiders', in this context, homosexuals/transvestites, it gives them the power, it makes them equal much to those 'in powers' frustration - it gives me power. In the majority of mainstream media - even in today's society women are perceived as the side-character, the partner in crime. The dominant character is always a white, heterosexual male. Whereas in Rocky Horror - yes it's male but it's not the usual stereotype, there's open queerness, trans-gender roles for both males and females and quite frankly I find this liberating.
Reale states "One ostensibly plausible explanation for Rocky Horror’s continued popularity is that it effectively opened a safe space for audience members to explore queer gender and sexuality."
I am a straight, white female however I do not follow all the gender stereotypes. I am a football fan, I dress in over-sized jumpers and hats, I'd rather go to a dirty rave than cocktails at a fancy bar. But seeing characters such as Frank N. Furter on the big screen - and being adored allows me to realise that there are no set gender boundaries.
The freedom of exploration, the openness of queerness is something which was not explored as openly in the 70s and still is not wholly accepted today however it has improved. Films like this inspire and encourage people to come out, it gives them the gateway they need to be who they really are.
Tim Curry's portrayal of Dr Frank N. Furter is admirable and he plays the role perfectly, divulging and enjoying every scene as the alien transvestite. He is careless and proud, making him a role model and icon for queers/transvestites/those whom feel 'different' in society.
In Rocky Horror, Brad and Janet are the rich, educated, pure couple whom follow cultural stereotypes, but they aren't the ones in the position of power.
Tickle states "both Brad and Janet are archetypes of what it means in societal norms to be a heterosexual couple. Through exaggerated and hyperbolic performances, they display the ideological representations for their genders. Brad is seen to be the protective and strong male, whereas Janet is the passive and weaker female."
Yet Dr Frank N. Furter defies every single male stereotype there is and is in the position of power displaying that it's acceptable to be different. Rocky Horror requires active fans and participation for it to be appreciated. Deviancy is something which is opposed by popular culture and tastes, hence why in mainstream films/tv shows etc. the bad guy always loses, the 'other' is always the monster.
Austin summarises the cult films are not "the intent of the filmmaker”, but the result of active fan followings and exhibition within a-typical exhibition routes such as the midnight movie circuit. And with this, there can be no crossover between cult films and mainstream, it is very much one or the other, as it is with social, cultural and political beliefs in society but there can be cross-overs in gender fluidity and power in society.
Reale, S B. 2012. "Music, Sound and The Moving Image: 'A Sheep in Wolf's Corset: Timbral and Vocal Signifiers of Masculinity in The Rocky Horror Picture/Glee Show'", Liverpool, England. Pg. 138.
Tickle, V. 2014. "Film Internation: Film Musings", Gotborg, Sweden. Pg. 147-148.
No comments:
Post a Comment