Rethinking Stereotypes: Representations of Gender in Brazilian Comedies of the Post-Retomada

This dissertation analyzes the representations of gender in Brazilian comedies of the post-Retomada period. I start by examining the chanchada, the genre which served as foundation for the humor that is used in the contemporary films that form the core of this dissertation’s corpus. My dissertation moves beyond the commonplace attack on the emptiness of popular comedies and identifies social criticism, the deconstruction of stereotypical gender roles, as well as a desire to promote change in the expectations of gender portrayal in comedy films from 2003 to 2016. This study also observes similar trends within the LGBTQ community. Although the community is underrepresented in the comedies I analyze, the limited representation that does exist tends to transcend mainstream stereotypes. Chapter 1, “The Chanchada Through Time: The Chanchada Influence in Brazilian Comedies,” investigates the influence of the chanchada in Brazilian comedies until the post-Retomada period. Chapter 2, “Reshaping Stereotypes: The Protagonists of Romantic Comedies,” analyzes the stereotypical characteristics that romantic comedies of the post-Retomada use to shape characters. By examining 34 films, and five in more detail, this chapter observes that such clich�d representations carry an intrinsic self-critique. Chapter 3, “LGBTQ Representation in Comedies of the post-Retomada,” investigates how comedies of the post-Retomada portray LGBTQ characters that occupy central roles through an analysis of 15 films and 26 characters. The analysis shows that recent comedies are slowly distancing themselves from a prejudiced, stereotypical portrayal of LGBTQ characters that have been historically underrepresented. My dissertation confirms how comedies go beyond a simple form of entertainment to become a way to promote societal change and a form of societal critique. I argue that gender representation in Brazilian cinema is slowly changing, with comedies showing a commitment to deliver a mix of humor and social awareness, which is a sign that a better future might be on the horizon for Brazilian films