Call for Papers
"An American Bromance: Homosocial Love in Film and Television"
2010 Film & History Conference: Representations of Love in Film and Television
November 11-14, 2010
Hyatt Regency Milwaukee
www.uwosh.edu/filmandhistory
Second Round Deadline: November 1, 2009

AREA: An American Bromance: Homosocial Love in Film and Television

In American cinema, the buddy film, which tends to focus on male relationships, has been surging. Consider, for example, I Love You, Man (John Hamburg, 2009), Role Models (David Wain, 2008), Superbad (Greg Mottola, 2007), and Wedding Crashers (David Dobkin, 2005). These so-called "Bromances" are also featured on the small screen in sitcoms such as Scrubs (JD, Turk) and How I Met Your Mother (Ted, Marshall), as well as in hour-long shows like House, M.D. (Wilson, House) and Boston Legal (Alan, Denny).

What cultural circumstances or social forces—or fears—have caused this surge in the Bromance sub-genre? In what narrative or historical contexts do these male-male relationships thrive? Where and how do women fit in to the homosocial love between heterosexual men? How has masculinity been redefined by it? Are homosociality and homosexuality ever connected in these texts? What types of male characters are predominately featured in the Bromance (i.e., attractive, pudgy, nerdy)? These and all other topics regarding homosocial love in film and/or television will be considered.

Please send your 200-word proposal by e-mail to the area chair:

Kelli Marshall, Area Chair
The University of Toledo
Dept. of Theatre and Film, MS 611
2801 W. Bancroft
Toledo, OH 43606
Email: kellirmarshall_at_gmail.com (email submissions preferred)

Panel proposals for up to four presenters are also welcome, but each presenter must submit his or her own paper proposal. For updates and registration information about the upcoming meeting, see the Film & History website (www.uwosh.edu/filmandhistory).