In recent years queer identities have become increasingly visible in Irish cinema, a shift that can be linked to political, economic and social changes taking place both in Ireland and around the world, as well as to changes in national film policy to cater more to international audiences. Irish Queer Cinema explores the sexual politics and socio-economic conditions that have determined the shape and evolution of these representations whilst interrogating the relationship between on-screen visibility and progressive sexual politics. Drawing together 23 films as depictive of an Irish queer cinema, including Clash of the Ash, The Crying Game and Me First, the book investigates the different ways gender and sexuality intersect with nationhood and national forms of belonging, and explores the role of queerness within the constitution of an Irish national culture.

An extensive critical study of cinematic representations of Irish queer masculinitiesIn recent years queer identities have become increasingly visible in Irish cinema, a shift that can be linked to political, economic and social changes taking place both in Ireland and around the world, as well as to changes in national film policy to cater more to international audiences. 'Irish Queer Cinema' explores the sexual politics and socio-economic conditions that have determined the shape and evolution of these representations whilst interrogating the relationship between on-screen visibility and progressive sexual politics. Drawing together 23 films as depictive of an Irish queer cinema, including 'Clash of the Ash, The Crying Game' and 'Me First', the book investigates the different ways gender and sexuality intersect with nationhood and national forms of belonging, and explores the role of queerness within the constitution of an Irish national culture.Key FeaturesDevelops innovative spatial models of queer sociality as frameworks for analysing Irish filmsProvides readings of cinematic space to assess the impact of socio-economic change on Irish identity politics and patterns of cultural representationUses queer theory to explore the relationship between Irish nationalist discourses, LGBTQ politics in Ireland and the increasing visibility of Irish queer identities on-screen