Gay- en queer-kodes in geanimeerde films

Abstract

Early Hollywood films made use of certain codes and signifiers to imply aspects that were banned by boards of censors after the Great Depression. By using these codes filmmakers were able to say secretly much more than they were allowed to say. Sometimes these signifiers went unnoticed by audiences and sometimes informed audience members could immediately read between the lines. The same can be said for modern-day animated films. The point of argument is that makers of children’s animated films make use of the same type of signifiers and codes which were used in early Hollywood films to imply that certain characters are queer or gay. To demonstrate the point of argument, the Shrek trilogy will be read through so-called queer lenses to point out these queer and gay codes.