BI FILM-VIDEO WORLD

Abstract

Bisexual representations in film can be difficult to find; positive bi images even more scarce. Given our ever increasing hunger for bi-visibility, we searched where the dominant culture would most likely put us-namely, in stereotypical situations. Hence, based on the popular belief that bisexuality is related to non-monogamy, we sought out “threesome” films for explicit representations of bisexuality, and we identified and analyzed four mainstream films from the 1990s (Threesome, Splendor, Just One Time, and Trois, all of which have a White cast, except Trois, which has a Black cast).

While each film demonstrated a willingness to investigate issues on non-monogamy and even sexual experimentation, we found no “reel” evidence of this illusive relationship between bisexuality and non-monogamy. More importantly, we did not find a willingness to call any sexual or intimate acts in these films “bisexual.” What we did find was an overwhelming tendency to privilege women as more sexually fluid, more capable of breaking out of an identity as “straight” to explore bi-intimacy, bi-potential, and the possibility of having multiple intimate and sexual partners. At the same, though, bisexuality was rarely figured as an identity (and never as a positive one). The most stable relationships established by the end of each film revolved around the creation of largely monosexual relationships.

Key Words:

• Bisexual representation
• threesomes
• bisexuality