Trans filmmakers get Oscar recognition

For the first time in Hollywood there seems to be a major shift regarding transgender representation. Transgender people are being allowed to tell their own stories with their own voice. Two such films have recently been recognized by the Oscars. Strong Island was nominated for Best Documentary Feature and Chilean film A Fantastic Woman won Best Foreign Film.

Strong Island follows the harrowing story of trans writer-director Yance Ford’s family in the aftermath of his brother’s violent and senseless murder. The film traces the African American experience, as well as Ford’s own experiences as a trans man, as Ford’s brother becomes, perversely, the “prime suspect in his own murder”. Ford is the first-ever trans man to be nominated in a directing category (or any category) at the Oscars.

A Fantastic Woman stars trans actress Daniela Vega as Marina, a waitress, and singer who falls for an older man who suddenly becomes sick and dies. Marina must then face his family who view her with suspicion and scorn and forbid her from attending his funeral. Vega’s turn as Marina has been praised by critics, with Empire magazine writing that while “this is an unsurprisingly upsetting watch at times… it’s made compelling by Vegas dignified, heartfelt performance.”

These two films signify a change in trans representation in the media. Larry Gross, a social media and communications professor at the University of Southern California, noted that "It's a pattern happening in the last few years since 'Transparent' or Laverne Cox in 'Orange is the New Black' ... and now the Oscars.” Whereas before, "There were a lot of psychopathic killers, like in 'The Silence of the Lambs,'" trans people are now being portrayed as real people.

"The media industry loves it when they know a new twist becomes possible. Often the stories are about the challenges of being different," Gross continues, "This movie 'A Fantastic Woman' is an example of that. They've done it before with gay people, people of color, Jews — the old wine of your narrative in a new bottle ... The big challenge always, is that the difference is good, rather than threatening".

Tim Gibson - myGwork

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