Spider-Masculinities & Beyond!

With great gender comes great responsibility! Across the past 25 years, and multiple blockbuster films, the history of Spider-Man’s portrayal on film constitutes an evolving canon of masculinities (and beyond!). 

In this class, we’ll explore what kinds of Spider-Genders each of these films makes room for, the ethical questions they engage, and the gendered narratives that form around each iteration of this iconic superhero. 

We’ll even expand into the animated Spider-Verse and trace how newer installments of the archetypal Spider-Figures make room for many Spider-Identities, including moments ripe for trans readings! 

Films:

12/2: SPIDER-MAN (2002, 121 min)

12/9: THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (2012, 136 min)

12/16: SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING (2017, 133 min)

12/23: SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE (2023, 140 min)

This class will be taught by MMU Instructor Max Swanson, a filmmaker/performer, writer, educator, and organizer based in Portland, OR.

Each class will begin with a short lecture, followed by a screening of the film, after which an instructor-led discussion will take place. 

Class size will be limited to 18.

Email us at education@moviemadness.org if you have any questions.