5 Great Films About Trans People

Check out our five must-watch movies featuring trans protagonists:

1. Paris is Burning (1990)

Following the ball culture of New York City, Jennie Livingston’s documentary tackles racism, gender identity, homophobia, transphobia, poverty and the AIDS crisis, while showing how those disenfranchised can come together and become glamourous regardless of how life has treated them.

2. The Crying Game (1992)

A love story involving someone transitioning between male and female, the fact that its lead character was trans was kept hidden by the film’s promoters so audiences could experience the twist first-hand. The Crying Game was one of the first mainstream films to rethink stereotypes around trans people and make its audience empathise with the lead character.

3. The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert (1994)

This Australian classic follows two gay men and a trans woman as they travel through the barren outback to resurrect their old cabaret act. The trio respond to discrimination and prejudice with wit and win over small-town minds with their charms.

4. Transamerica (2005)

Starring Felicity Huffman – fresh off the set of Desperate Housewives – as transsexual Bree who must go on a road trip across America after finding out about a previously unknown son. The film has been praised as having impressive awareness of the issues trans people face and the language they have to use. Trans writer and activist Andrea James was very involved in the film.

5. All About My Mother (1999)

Director Pedro Almodovar has a history of progressive casting: often casting trans actors as cisgender people and vice versa. In this film, considered his masterpiece, he follows a mother trying to track down the father of her child, having never told her child her father is a trans woman. The film depicts trans people with respect and dignity and asks what it means to be authentic in a hostile world.

This week we mark Trans Awareness Week. Join us on the 16th of November for our Trans empowerment panel, sponsored by Pearson, where we'll be hearing from our panel about their stories and experiences, thoughts about how we can lift up our trans community, and how to empower the trans people in our life whilst being better allies. Register for free here.

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