Podcast Summary
Trans representation in film: The first mainstream film centered around a transgender man, 'Boys Don't Cry', was released 25 years ago and paved the way for more trans representation in film, but it remains a rare occurrence today, with an increasing number of trans-authored films exploring trans identities in fresh and exciting ways.
We are witnessing a groundbreaking moment in cinema history with an increasing number of trans-authored films exploring trans identities in fresh and exciting ways. Films like "I Saw the TV Glow," "I'm Trans. I'm not sorry," and "The People's Joker" are leading this influx, but it's important to note that this is a recent development. Trans people have long been underrepresented in film, with few opportunities to tell their stories in their own way. However, 25 years ago, a landmark independent film, "Boys Don't Cry," directed by Kimberly Pierce, broke new ground. Based on the true story of Brandon Teena, a young trans man searching for love and connection in Nebraska, "Boys Don't Cry" was the first mainstream film centered around a transgender man. Released at the peak of the new queer cinema, it was a significant moment in both queer cinema and cinema at large, earning critical acclaim and an Oscar for Hilary Swank's portrayal of Brandon. Despite this progress, centering trans people in film remains a rare occurrence, but the current influx of trans-authored cinema is a promising sign for the future.
Trans representation in film: The film 'Boys Don't Cry' set a troubling precedent for cisgender actors portraying transgender characters, but it's important to remember its historical significance in trans representation.
The 1999 film "Boys Don't Cry," while groundbreaking for its time in asking mainstream audiences to empathize with a transgender protagonist, has an undeniable burden in representing trans masculinity going forward due to its tragic ending and the subsequent trend of cisgender actors portraying transgender characters in major films. For trans viewers like McClay, Swank's casting set a troubling precedent, and the film's subject matter in arc, which ends in tragedy like another influential film about queer people from that decade, "Philadelphia," internalized negative feelings about transness. However, it's essential to keep the film as a teaching moment about how transness was perceived at the time. Director Kimberly Pierce would likely approach the film differently now, and "Boys Don't Cry" remains a landmark in trans representation despite its challenges.
Transgender representation in media: Boys Don't Cry (1999) was groundbreaking for transgender representation in media, showcasing the power of imagination, desire, and will to live as an authentic self during a time when few trans individuals were portrayed positively.
The release of Boys Don't Cry in 1999 was groundbreaking for transgender representation in media, as trans individuals were often portrayed negatively or not at all. Kimberly Pierce's film showcased the power of Brandon Teena's imagination, desire, and will to live as his authentic self during a time when few did. Pierce faced numerous challenges while making the film, including her own identity exploration and the industry's skepticism regarding Brandon's character and sexuality. Despite these obstacles, Boys Don't Cry remains a moving and influential depiction of a transgender person's life and struggles.
Creating authentic films: Creating a film centered around underrepresented communities comes with numerous challenges, including initial resistance, writing a compelling story, securing funding, and finding a sympathetic and capable actor. Dedication and commitment to authentic representation ultimately leads to groundbreaking art.
Creating a meaningful and authentic film, especially one centered around underrepresented communities, comes with numerous challenges. The speaker faced initial resistance to their idea of making a movie about a trans protagonist due to a lack of understanding. Once the concept was accepted, they had to write a compelling story, secure funding, and find a sympathetic and capable actor for the role. These tasks proved to be significant hurdles, taking years to overcome. The speaker's dedication to the project and commitment to authentic representation ultimately led to the creation of a groundbreaking film. Despite criticism over casting choices, the speaker remains focused on serving the story and characters, and their passion for the project has resulted in a piece of art that has made a lasting impact.
Transgender representation in Hollywood: Despite efforts to cast authentic actors, Hollywood's understanding and acceptance of transgender issues impacted the ability to accurately represent transgender characters in films like 'Boys Don't Cry'.
Authenticity and representation are complex issues in Hollywood, especially when it comes to transgender roles. During the production of "Boys Don't Cry" in 1999, the team extensively searched for a transgender actor for the lead role but couldn't find one who was ready for the part. Hillary Swank delivered an exceptional performance and won an Oscar for her role as Brandon Teena, a trans man. While the team regrets not being able to cast a trans actor, they acknowledge that Brandon hadn't undergone any gender-affirming surgeries or hormone therapy, which might have posed challenges during filming. Fast forward to 2024, the world has made significant strides in understanding and accepting transgender people. The team reflected on how the portrayal of Brandon's struggle to define his identity would have been different if the general understanding of transgender issues were more advanced at the time of filming. The scene where Brandon talks about his past and grapples with his identity resonated with the team, as it mirrored the challenges people faced in understanding transgender issues back then. Overall, the production of "Boys Don't Cry" highlights the importance of authentic representation and the complexities involved in achieving it.
Transgender representation in film: In 1999, 'Boys Don't Cry' was groundbreaking for casting a cisgender actor as a transgender character, but if made in 2024, director Kimberly Peirce would have cast a transgender actor. The film allowed underrepresented stories to be told and challenged mainstream narratives.
During the making of "Boys Don't Cry" in 1999, the film's director, Kimberly Peirce, believed Brandon Teena, the transgender protagonist, was struggling with his identity due to lack of cultural acceptance and language. If making the film in 2024, Peirce would have tried to cast a transgender actor for the role. Regarding the film's place in the 1999 cinematic landscape, Peirce felt proud that the movie allowed boys to tell their personal stories and challenged the mainstream narrative, contributing to the next generation of filmmakers. Overall, "Boys Don't Cry" stands out as a groundbreaking film that gave voice to underrepresented stories.
NPR Podcasts: NPR offers various podcasts including Boys Don't Cry, Consider This, NPR Elections Hub, NPR Politics Podcast, and Up First to help you stay informed and understand the issues during the election year.
During this high-stakes election year, it's essential to stay informed and understand the issues. NPR offers several podcasts to help you do just that. Boys Don't Cry director Kimberly Parris recently spoke with NPR about her film. Meanwhile, the Consider This newsletter keeps you updated on major stories and the team behind them. The NPR Elections Hub provides in-depth coverage of the issues and the people involved. The NPR Politics Podcast breaks down important stories and their context. Lastly, Up First offers a daily 15-minute podcast with three top stories to help you sort through the news. Stay informed and engaged with NPR's podcast offerings.