The Construction of Gay Films in Vietnam between 2007 and 2020

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Films featuring LGBTQ content are frequently banned or subject to severe criticism in numerous countries due to the perceptions of inappropriateness. However, in Vietnam, a socialist country, there is notably less opposition to films depicting homosexuality. This shift can be attributed to the government's efforts to address the human rights issues concerning LGBTQ individuals, including the proposal of the first gender equality-focused draft legislation in 2012. This legislation marked a significant milestone in promoting the rights, freedom, and positive images of LGBTQ individuals at a later time. This research article aims to study the social perspective regarding the construction of gay films in Vietnam between 2007 and 2020. Methods: This qualitative research analyzed the scripts of Vietnamese gay films released between 2007 and 2020, focusing on 19 films featuring gay male characters as main protagonists, which had to be mainstream films released in theaters. They were analyzed using a conceptual framework based on the film narrative structure consisting of five key elements: 1. plot, 2. theme, 3. conflict, 4. character, and 5. scene. The study aimed to explore the meanings conveyed through these narrative elements, focusing on the overall portrayal within the films. Additionally, the concept of the social construction of reality was employed as a theoretical framework to discuss how Vietnamese films convey and present “truth” regarding gay films, how societal perspectives influence the construction of Vietnamese gay films, or what mechanisms are behind the construction of these films. Results: The study found that: most of the Vietnamese gay films released between 2007 and 2020 were created under the influence of binary opposition, showing that social institutions played a role in producing knowledge and regulating societal members to conform to rules aligning with social norms. Gay films were constructed using the framework of social and cultural dimensions, such as 1. valuing heterosexual love, 2. valuing masculinity, 3. prejudice against LGBTQ relationships, and 4. the influence of Confucianism on the sexual moral system. However, the construction of gay films in the early period, between 2007 and 2015, reflected negative perspectives, often linking gay men to social danger (Tệ nạn xã hội), in line with the stereotypical mindset of the Vietnamese society (Stereotype age). Over time, the perception of the gay community began to change. Influenced by the real world, this affected how to construct films, leading to more diverse representations in the films produced after 2016. This shift resulted in the creation of a new awareness in the society. Application of this study: This study serves as a framework for understanding how Vietnamese films convey and present the truth of gay men within society, how they are constructed based on the societal and cultural perspectives, or what mechanisms are behind the construction of these films. Furthermore, the study provides insights into the various social and cultural dimensions appeared in these films. Future research could expand on this work by exploring the Vietnamese gay series or non-mainstream films, assessing whether their representations align with or differ from those found in other media. Conclusions: Gay films in Vietnam between 2007 and 2020 were influenced by binary opposition, reflecting the social value system that organizes the opposition between men and women, with social institutions playing a role in producing knowledge and guiding members to conform to societal norms. However, these gay films evolved from presenting stereotypes associated with social evils to fostering new awareness, following the 2012 review of legal rights for homosexuals in Vietnam. This shift led to changes in the depiction of gay themes after 2012. As a result, the representation of gay characters began to normalize, reflected in storylines, themes, and characters that challenged mainstream beliefs and resisted past stereotypes.