Sanctioning fluid identities for the reinforcement of heteronormativity.

This study would investigate the impact on heteronormative norms on the male and female body in queer films in New Queer Cinema. It will follow Judith Butler’s approach on Gender and Performance, investigating how gender and culture is constructed. This is exceptionally significant because of the definition and nature of New Queer Cinema and how these queer films appear to adhere to the definitions as accrued to its label. This study takes into account on the overarching norms that govern and regulate the respective communities. Also, it would take into consideration the different norms that operate and subjugate male and female bodies differently, as a set of norms belonging to a community cannot be linearly enforced on all male and female bodies. Furthermore, it is observed that different Gazes (for instance the male and ‘lesbian’ gaze) work towards affecting gender performativity. The methodology used for this study is deconstruction, to uncover the queer contradictions present in the films. For the most part, these films exemplify the very essence of queer, by appearing to defy normativity but end up being as heterosexual and normative as any other mainstream films.Bachelor of Art