campy

Definition

Deliberately exaggerated, theatrical, or artificial in a way that is often humorous, ironic, or self-aware.

Etymology

Derived from the French word 'camper,' meaning to pose in an exaggerated way, the term evolved in early 20th-century underground subcultures to describe flamboyant or stylized performative behavior.

In the news

In the article, the term describes a specific aesthetic style in queer cinema that embraces artifice and over-the-top elements as a form of cultural expression. It highlights how these exaggerated qualities are used to subvert traditional norms and explore themes of identity.

‘Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma’: Hannah Einbinder and Jane Schoenbrun on the Future of Queer Cinema

Variety

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