exploring camp aesthetics with 'but i'm a cheerleader'

[@april4524]

as a lesbian absolutely love this movie when i was younger it made me feel seen and ok

[@91Vault]

I'm really lucky that I got to watch it as a tween and It wasn't something I had to specifically seek out as an adult (I don't know why but I think it was because the young adults who rented it probably thought it was something more like American Pie)

[@andria8279]

@@91Vault same I’m a teenager rn and I’m happy I stubbled across it… it’s so funny 😂

[@aquadraco20]

I did not know there was a movie called "but I am a cheerleader" and thought this was an analysis of cheerleader movies from the perspective of someone who actually was a cheerleader. 🤦‍♀️🤣

[@agness9904]

But I'm a cheerleader is one of my fav movies! I love how it portrays heteronormativity as something so outrageously ridiculous and makes us as an audience examine our own internalized biases. But I didn't know much about camp until now, it was really informative! I gotta look into it more😏also this is a really cute blouse!💖🦌

[@ShesquatchPiney]

Camp is essential. Matt Baume, who's been cranking it out on KZbin since his channel was focussed on following the fight for marriage equality, has covered the historical relationship between queer folks and camp throughout media in numerous videos. He covers a lot of classic TV portrayals of homosexuality and queer acceptance that can feel really uplifting despite the limitations of their times in theeeese batshit times. I encourage everyone to embrace camp euphoria.

[@chai_tii]

I was also thinking of doing a video on Stick It (2006), which is not technically a gay movie but it is in my heart~

[@AngelAngel-yx5uz]

Please make a video on Stick it I’ve recently rewatched it and I think more people need too know this joy

[@valeriarossini543]

in my heart too, you should absolutely talk about it 💗

[@BrokenDarkFire]

Aaahhh that would be so cool! I love Stick It, and it feels like the kind of movie everyone’s seen but no one talks about it

[@LLivLLaffLLuv]

I love that movie so much. I actually grew up as an elite athlete (very different sport, but similar intensity) and I can relate so much to the main character. Plus I think it’s a huge part of these kinds of sports how teenagers and kids are kind of exploited. People insist the kid is the one who wants it so bad, but there’s a lot of emotional manipulation (“if you don’t want it more than anything else then leave” mentality).

[@19x343]

oh i'd absolutely love to see you talk about that movie definitely go for it if you have the time to!!!

[@katiecampbell958]

yes I love this movie!!!! as a lesbian it is so nice to have a rom-com that isn't straight, and a lesbian romance that isn't so serious. We need comfort trash, too! (also love your earrings and dress!)

[@andria8279]

When I watched this movie I thought it was about a bunch of cheerleaders and I thought it was gonna be cheesy… but then I was like “HOLD UP… THIS AINT-“ this is one of my favorite movies… And comfort movie

[@sulucandles]

yessss....But I'm a Cheerleader is so underrated! happy somebody is finally making a video about it. Also your wallpaper is fucking dope

[@tierraspot]

I first watched this film (when i probably shouldn't have) but it was my first time understanding the concept of conversion camps. i mostly remember the colors and the comedy and the FLOWER PILLOW LOL, but i owe this film to me being empathetic to teens who have to go through this. this is a comedy satire, but satire is always a call to something more sinister or problematic in society. i love this film so much lol in all its ridiculousness.

[@nouram4299]

l

[@hannahremmel9550]

Curious, how old were you? This was the movie I showed to girls I would go on dates with as a teenager. But Clea fucking DuVall. She cemented me thinking I was bicurious (I don't think that was even a word in the 2000's) to I am out and proud and I will introduce myself myself as a lesbian.

[@tierraspot]

@@hannahremmel9550 oh gosh, it was like maybe 5th grade? so maybe 10 or 11 when i came across it.

[@hannahremmel9550]

@@tierraspot okay that makes more sense. In today’s world it would be rated pg-13 tops. Because it’s just so pure and there’s no real sex scenes or anything remotely scandalous. But 10 or 11. I can understand. It’d just be like “why the hell is ‘straight is great’ written on this guys shirt”? Take it easy

[@ShesquatchPiney]

​​@@hannahremmel9550 think bi-curious was a word in the aughts, I graduated HS in '07, but bi erasure was so prevalent, the term was used in a way that was unhelpful and demeaning. It might still be today depending on context and who you ask. My super hag "ally" parent was insistent bisexuality wasn't real at the time. It was bad.

[@joannalumpia]

I agree! I did not grow up having happy wlw films to watch, and "But I'm a Cheerleader" was my first experience with that! The campy aesthetics also bring me a lot of joy 💕

[@nataliedc]

loved this movie and this video!! never noticed the muted tones vs. colorful tones of the film! happy pride everyone ❤️❤️❤️

[@BrokenDarkFire]

I watched this movie as an adult a couple of years ago and it was definitely a bit strange to watch this movie for the first time and have half my brain kind of picking apart the stereotypes and mentally arguing about it in my head the whole time. But I still think it’s really iconic, and it was a great birthday party movie. I loved the aesthetic!

[@booksvsmovies]

But I'm A Cheerleader is so fun. It's campy and sincere and heartwarming. Hands down one of the best enemies to lovers romances out there.

[@vanessaajohn]

I’m a newbie who loves But I’m a Cheerleader so this is a great video for me! I also highly recommend the Miss Education of Cameron Post. If there’s a film that came out in the last five years that I feel was severely overlooked it’s that one.

[@91Vault]

The book is amazing. I think the film is decent for what they were working with but to be honest it feels like they only adapted the top surface of the story...as the film doesn't have Cameron's internal monologue/voice

[@domy6827]

first lgb film I watched (in secret ofc) and rewatched so many times because I had not even realised how starved I was of representation. these characters were nothing like me and yet I understood them so well

[@thunder_heads]

It's one of my first lgbt movies I ever watched. My other favourite is presilla queen of the desert

[@hannahremmel9550]

All of this. This was literally all I had when I was 13 at the video store.

[@RDawn]

Didn't know what I was expecting going into this movie, but overall I was very happy! I agree with you that I kind of cringed a little with the more stereotypical portrayals of gay culture, but I almost didn't even have to wait to see a character that broke that norm. Jan was both a surprising and very pleasing development. :) The movie was very funny, but overall I was struck by how genuinely sweet it was. I couldn't stop myself from saying out loud a couple times at how adorable the main romance was. Very happy with this movie and glad you talked about it! :)

[@c1nnamodoll]

i didnt know But Im a Cheerleader was a movie, so i thought this was literally exploring camp fashion aesthetics but putting a cheerleader fashion twist on them lmao 🤦‍♂️ but i will definitely check out the movie it looks super fun

[@DeadPalette]

Thank you for summarizing my exact feelings on this film! I just watched it with my partner for the first time and as you mentioned; the mixture of subtle and NOT SUBTLE messaging/themes is amazing. The parallels between Megan(the main character) and Jan(the gender non conforming 'lesbian') are excellent. Megan doesn't understand she's gay but Jan actually IS straight but doesn't conform to gender norms. No character is decoration besides maybe the nameless cheerleaders at the start. Every character furthers exploration of LGBTQ identity. What a film

[@ellem4749]

freaking loved that you covered this ! i recently saw the movie for the first time and while i had a lot of thoughts all i could really think was 'wow omfg so much color' or subconsciously picking apart certain things it was so cool having someone else point out aesthetic choices that went in over my head 💜💜 thank youuu

[@mariaray1603]

Great video!!!!! I know a lot of these things were probably obvious to others but I hadn’t noticed or thought about them when before!! Even that the house is supposed to kind of resemble a doll house and that you can see the bad painting had not thought about that before!! Thanks!!

[@venusnympha]

loved this movie and i loved Natasha Lyonne's performance. this was one of the few w/w films i remember watching when i was super young.

[@RDawn]

Woah... I JUST watched this for the first time yesterday... mind blown

[@zina2435]

i watched this movie with my mom when i was like 12 and it’s honestly one of my best memories lol

[@thatonecoyote]

Yes! The production design of this film is my absolute favourite! It works so well for the story! And I agree with what you said at the end, satire uses comedy elements to poke fun at a generally negative situation, not to endorse it. Also we definitely need more films where the gays survive, I can relate to your story about watching sapphic films and being slight traumatized 😅

[@ashesashes8968]

This was actually the first lgbt movie I ever watched. I unironically love it.

[@caitlinmarshwous2707]

This movie has been in my top ten since I was 12. It's great. Thank you for bringing this to the children!

[@trinity3834]

definitely rewatching 'but i'm a cheerleader' this weekend. also loved your commentary and the lil details you pointed out !!

[@andromeda138]

Don't apologize for how obvious you think your insight is, I've seen this movie twice and didn't catch all these details

[@danicatempleton6745]

I just went and watched it and I didn't expect to ugly cry

[@randomtinypotatocried]

My best friend now partner got me into this film. It's one of those films we ended up rewatching over the years and always getting something else out of it

[@biseragjurovska1998]

I loved this movie, it's absolutely amazing. I watched it with my gf last night, she got super happy when she saw the cleaning scene because she had seen fanart of her favorite sapphic couple doing that same scene and she was so happy she found out where it was from!

[@naight173]

now i want to watch the movie and thats exactly what I am going to do now ^^

[@cantaloupegodling352]

This movie was sickeningly sweet and I love it. Can we just get more cute gay movies where the characters don't constantly suffer?

[@gryrabild]

This film is so iconic in so many ways! 😤

[@luvnicoleilani]

this is my absolute favorite movie! thank you for analyzing it ♡︎♡︎

[@birk3nstock]

i think the green office could symbolize the green from a green carnation. oscar wilde would wear one as sign.

[@mmmchezburger-m6d]

Thankyou, I haven’t heard someone else talk about the campiness of the movie and how it is a satire which is one of the main reasons I love it

[@queenmaj6576]

[settles in to watch this with a blanket and some hot chocolate]

[@wendys_lemonade2459]

hi! I don’t know too much about fashion and movie analysis, but I really like your videos :)

[@sophiadeluca439]

I love your energy; just really relaxed and sweet you don't see that a lot. Really enjoyed this video :)

[@bajablastfreezetm8135]

loved this analysis of the aesthetics!!! i'm literally using this film as a color study assignment for a class, it has such strong visuals, subtlety is overrated. it rly confuses me when people critique it as "making light of a serious topic" bc of how much depressing gay representation there is, as you pointed out. I feel like the genre of the movie speaks at least to my experience as a butch lesbian . finding the inherent absurdity in heteronormativity, regardless of how punishing it can be to exist outside of it. happiness is achievable, you can have clea duvall gf etc etc also love your top!!!

[@nerothos]

This movie was fantastic and I'm so glad I discovered your channel after watching it. Great work!

[@maddielouise9991]

i also feel like Edward scissor hands has kind of the same color themes :)

[@hucgil8506]

I see this movie more as kitchy than campy, it looks like an Almodovar film!

[@thaym.5822]

Tii saying welcome to the new people Me, who have been here since 5k: YAAAS QUEEEN! We love cute unproblematic quality content

[@juliaabreus]

I finally watched this movie today! It's heart warming 💖

[@annal7406]

Where did you get the tapestry in the background? All of your videos are so aesthetic I love it

[@hannahremmel9550]

this movie was my sexuality at 13 (waaaay before streaming). It was a very pivotal movie for me. It, ask you said, was one of the very few love stories both lesbian and gay that existed where no one died and it had a happy ending. And there was such an innocence to the love of teenagers. Plus, Clea DuVall. Period. End of sentence. Great job.

[@chainey4387]

I love But I'm A Cheerleader!

[@AnitaMelanie]

I never heard of this film, but it was very interesting to hear your opinion about it. As always

[@addie1080]

this was such a neat video, im gonna watch that movie right now!

[@dankneeeeee]

I had to click immediately when I saw the notification! Love this movie sm, great video!!

[@liriohardy7240]

dropping a comment to let the algorithm know this is a good video 💖

[@pageturner242]

YES BEST MOVIE EVER

[@iheartutube]

I love this movie! Can’t wait to hear your takes!

[@browneyedlolita]

Thanks for making this video !!! Pointed out a lot of things I never realized/noticed about the movie !!!

[@alexandrac591]

It occurs to me that the extreme fakeness of the camp means the inmates are being trained to be fake too.

[@JaiProdz]

Cameron Post is very good and necessary. I hope you watch it xo. Grt video, But I'm a Cheerleader was one of the first gay films I saw as a kid!

[@anonymousanon3055]

Nice vid! Thanks for making and sharing

[@giovannaluna6107]

off topic but your voice is so calm like i could listen for hoursss to you, and cool video

[@ems786]

Yes, love your take! Thanks for sharing 💜💙♥️💚💛🖤

[@whylal]

loved this!

[@moonym6555]

The green maby represents the jealousy of Mary. Her inability to be a person out of the mold, to see the gay couple winning en recruiting kids (in her mind).

[@phospadparadschaa]

this is a marvelous video!

[@Sear-ov7jd]

This is so good

[@maddieatkinson1527]

my favorite lesbian movie of all time honestly

[@Orbitinbloom19018]

You aee just so cute and adorable, i love your vids thank you !

[@hugo.20]

awesome

[@DesertHomesteader]

Good analysis. I always saw this movie as a campy parody of conversion camps, which are ridiculous. Anyway, it isn't a perfect movie but it has always been entertaining to me.

[@wii3willRule]

You are so pretty

[@MrHeadbanger366]

Did you come away with the belief that Mary Brown may have been closeted?

[@maddielouise9991]

love this analysis 🙃 also got a crush on u

[@hhyperbaIIad]

#nolongerfreeonyoutube

[@ShesquatchPiney]

I think if the movie wasn't as satirical and colorful in its portrayal of conversion therapy, it wouldn't have the lasting following. I think we absolutely need more stories that don't solely focus on and wallow in our pain. I think this applies to most marginalized groups where their pain and suffering is seen as an easier way to engage a wide audience for Oscar clout and the like. It blows cuz the specific joy marginalized groups can find within is infinitely more liberating, but tougher to pinpoint and seen as less marketable. Big lame that profit always seems to trump valuable representation. It's why I think the Bohemian Rhapsody movie did Freddie dirty. It's a travesty that at such a late date, the film wallows in a tired cautionary narrative regarding Mercury's queerness. It frames the queer scene Freddie famously frolicked in as a sinful temptation instead of somewhere to find love and acceptance. It's trite, played out, lazy, and unhelpful. I'm glad the tables are turning on that movie cuz when it came out I felt very alone in my objections to it. People would say "you're the first person I talked to who hated it." "Am I the first queer person u talked to about this flick???" Yup.

[@Shinniemini]

I dont get why all of the reviews are so positive? I watched the movie together with my friends, which was very triggering. The way the characters act is very stereotypical…

[@sarahnlh]

it's camp, it's satire. drag also includes "stereotypes", but it isn't meant to be accurate or serious. it's at the heart of gay culture